🐦

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

1 photo

1 photographer

·Common · 1 pts

Red-billed waterbird with white undertail flicks.

1 community photo of Moorhen on Things With Wings. Top-rated shots often use around 1/1600ss shutter, 300mm.

Species Profile

Green List (UK Birds of Conservation Concern)

Lifespan: 8–10 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 32–35 cm, wingspan 50–67 cm; 250–370 g
Habitat: Found on freshwater wetlands including lakes, ponds, reed beds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with dense vegetation.
UK Distribution: Widespread throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland; resident year-round with some northern populations supplemented by continental migrants in winter.
Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, small fish, tadpoles, and invertebrates; often grazes on grass near water.
Prey: Small fish, tadpoles, aquatic invertebrates, and insect larvae
Predators: Foxes, mink, pike, herons, and occasionally birds of prey such as peregrines and sparrowhawks.
Mating Season: March to September
Breeding: Clutch size 6–9 eggs; incubation period 19–22 days; typically 2–3 broods per season; chicks fledge at 40–50 days.
Behaviour: Highly territorial and vocal, often heard before seen; runs across water on long legs and has a jerky swimming action with nodding head movements. Strong pair bonds form during breeding season; both parents rear young.

Did You Know?

•The moorhen has distinctive white undertail coverts that flash conspicuously as a warning signal when alarmed.
•Moorhens often exhibit 'helper' behaviour where older chicks from early broods assist in raising younger siblings.
•They produce a loud, distinctive call described as a sharp 'krruk-krruk' or metallic alarm note.
•Moorhens can dive underwater but typically prefer to run across water and vegetation to escape danger.
•The species has benefited from the creation of garden ponds and urban wetlands across the UK in recent decades.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Shutter

1/1600ss

ISO Range

800

Aperture

f/f/5.6

Focal Length

300mm

🐦 Moorhen

Bird