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Common Moorhen
Photos by Bruce
Dayton)
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ORDER:
Gruiformes
FAMILY: Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, Coots - 11
Species)
SPECIES:
Common Moorhen
(Gallinula chloropus)
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Common Moorhen |
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The Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family and was previously known as the Common Gallinule. Despite loss of habitat in parts of its range, this bird remains common and widespread. |
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SIZE |
Average sized (13-14”) "chicken-like" member of the Rail family. |
| DESCRIPTION |
The Common Moorhen has dark plumage with a white undertail, yellow legs and a red facial shield and bill. The young are browner and lack the red shield. Sexes are similar in appearance, but female is slightly smaller. |
| NESTING | Clutch
of 6-12 eggs, which are
incubated in
18 to 22 days. |
| RANGE | Breeds over much of North America through Central America and northern South America. They spend winters from the southern Atlantic states to South America. |
| HABITAT | The common moorhen's habitat is freshwater and brackish marshes, lakes, canals, ponds with cattails and other well-vegetated lakes. |
| DIET | This species will consume a wide variety of vegetable material and small aquatic creatures. |
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| Common Moorhen | |
| Montezuma
National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York |
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| CmMh_121A_008362 | CmMh_121A_008961 |
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| CmMh_121A_008965 | CmMh_121A_028183 |
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| CmMh_121A_008968 | |
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American Woodcock Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes |
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| INTERESTING FACTS |
| Zoology |
| The scientific (branch of biology) study of animals, of which ornithology is a part. |
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Birds
of North America
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Please email with any ideas or comments concerning this web page. |
| The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit. |
NOTE: This site will be updated as time and pictures become available.
Visit Mammals of North America
Common Moorhen
(Gallinula chloropus
)
Updated 10-19-2008
