Common Moorhen

The Common Moorhen is a medium-sized, blackish-brown to slate-grey waterbird with a bright red bill tipped in yellow and a matching red frontal shield on the forehead. A crisp white line runs along each flank, and white undertail coverts are flicked conspicuously as the bird swims or walks.

Widespread and adaptable, the Common Moorhen occurs across Europe, Asia, and Africa in a huge range of wetland habitats, from wild marshes to ornamental ponds. Its close North American relative, the Common Gallinule, was split off as a separate species in 2011.

Key field marks

• Bright red bill tipped with yellow, matched by a red frontal shield
• Blackish-brown to slate-grey body
• White line along the flanks
• White undertail patches, split by a dark central line, flicked while swimming
• Greenish-yellow legs with long toes

Similar species

Coots have an all-white bill and shield and lack the flank stripe. The Purple Swamphen and gallinules are larger and much more vividly colored than the duller Common Moorhen.

Habitat

Prefers freshwater marshes, ponds, canals, and slow rivers with dense waterside vegetation for cover, though it readily uses smaller ornamental waters too.

Range and migration

Found across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Northern populations migrate south for winter, while many populations in milder climates are resident year-round. The American form is now treated as the separate Common Gallinule.

Behavior

Somewhat secretive but adaptable, often seen swimming close to reed cover, pumping its head forward with each stroke, and readily walking on land and floating vegetation using its long toes.

Voice

A loud, harsh 'kurrk' call and various sharp clucking notes.

Feeding

An omnivorous diet of aquatic plants, seeds, insects, snails, and worms gathered while swimming, wading, or walking on land.

Nesting and breeding

Builds a nest of woven vegetation among reeds or overhanging branches at the water's edge. In some populations, older offspring help feed younger chicks from later broods.