The Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution.
The Moorhen is a distinctive species, with dark plumage apart from the white under tail, yellow legs and a red facial shield.
This is a common breeding bird in marsh environments and well-vegetated lakes. Populations in areas where the waters freeze, such as southern Canada, the northern USA and eastern Europe, will migrate to more temperate climes. This species will consume a wide variety of vegetable material and small aquatic creatures. They forage beside or in the water, sometimes upending in the water to feed. It is often secretive, but can become tame in some areas. Despite loss of habitat in parts of its range, the Common Moorhen remains plentiful and widespread. They fight over territories and also hop around Lily pads.
These photos were taken at Rietvlei Dam….
lovely photos:)
Look’s like they’re semi-masked, haha.
Gorgeous photos again. You make even the common birds look glamorous. 🙂
you have the most amazing array of birds in your part of the world!
We don’t have them here of course – beautiful photos.
Need water for them…
We now have lots of water but I really want a dam!
Great photos again. Very pretty little birds 🙂
thank you…
Great photos. Looks very much like our Pukeko
Thanks…. will go and look your pukeko up
Number three! Number three! Just look at that water and those ripples..gorgeous 🙂
I’ll have to go and look can’t remember which is number 3… but thank you…
They are amazing and you did a wonderful set. I imagine how beautiful to watch them with your camera. Thank you dear Rob, love, nia
Thanks Nia…
Cool photos Rob! you would think with all the lakes and ponds around here I would have seen one of theses before. Nope. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mate… pretty common around here…