Moorhen

Moorhens and coots are common birds on ponds, lakes, rivers and canals, but which is which? There are actually a number of differences, but the most obvious is that the bill of a moorhen is red and that of a coot is white!

Appearance

The moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is a member of the rallidae family of birds that includes rails and crakes, so, although it is often found in the company of ducks, it does not have the webbed feet of a duck. It is about 33 centimetres long (13 inches) with dark brown upperparts and dark grey underparts, with a white stripe along the flanks and white under the tail. The legs, which have long toes, are yellowy-green and the red bill has a yellow tip. Males and females look very similar.

Behaviour

The moorhen spends most of its time on the ground or the water, with flying being something of an effort. In flight, which is usually only for a short time, the legs dangle or trail behind. Moorhens will paddle along the surface of the water before taking off.

The moorhen is happiest when swimming, jerking its head and tail as it does so. It only dives occasionally, but can, if danger threatens, stay submerged with only its beak above the surface.

On land, it walks with a jaunty stride except when running for cover with head down and wings flapping.

Breeding and feeding

Moorhens nest in waterside vegetation, with both partners building the nest from dry reeds or similar material. Moorhens are not gregarious birds, and will defend their nest fiercely.

The clutch is normally six to eight eggs, which both birds incubate for up to 22 days. The chicks are fed in the nest for a few days, after which they swim around, not venturing far from safety, still being fed by their parents on food consisting of insects, larvae, spiders, molluscs and some plant material. This is similar to the adult diet, which also includes worms, grass, seeds and a wider variety of water plants.

Moorhens may have as many as three broods during the year, the first in April or May, the second in June or July and the third in August. Mortality among the chicks can be high, with threats from all directions, including birds of prey, foxes and other predatory mammals, and pike.

© John Welford