Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

TQ4792 05/03/2024 ©Raymond Small

The Moorhen has a red and yellow beak, dark brown back and wings and a blackish belly with white stripes on the flanks. They are licentious and often swap partners during the breeding season. Females seem to prefer small fat mates. Nests are built with dead vegetation positioned among floating plants or next to the water. Eggs are sometimes put in nests of other birds which allows a female to increase her egg output. Moorhens feed on plants, seeds, worms, insects, molluscs and fish.

TQ4792 02/03/2017 ©Raymond Small 

TQ4793 15/06/2017 ©Raymond Small 

TQ4792 11/07/2018 ©Raymond Small 

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