Moorhen Bird Facts (Gallinula chloropus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Moorhen is a distinctive chicken-like water bird with a plump, dark body and a striking red and yellow bill with a red frontal shield. Its upperparts are dark brown to black, while the underside is slightly lighter with white streaks along the flanks.

Both sexes look similar, although females are generally smaller. Juveniles have a duller plumage and a greenish-brown bill. During the breeding season, adults develop brighter bill colours and more prominent white flank stripes.

Size

Length

30cm to 38cm

Wingspan

50cm to 62cm

Weight

192g to 500g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black Brown

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Red Yellow

Leg Colour

Green Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Moorhen is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Moorhen is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Moorhen can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Moorhen is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Moorhen can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Moorhen is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Moorhen is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Moorhen is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Moorhen is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Moorhen is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Moorhen is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Moorhen is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Moorhens inhabit a wide range of freshwater habitats, including ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-flowing rivers. They are particularly fond of areas with dense vegetation along the water's edge.

These birds have a widespread distribution across Europe, Asia and Africa. They are common in the UK, especially in lowland areas, adapting well to rural and urban wetland environments. They are scarce or absent from high-lying parts of Scotland, Northern England and Wales.

Elevation Range

Up to 4,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Moorhen. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Algeria Angola Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Botswana Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad China Comoros Congo Côte D'Ivoire Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Finland France Gambia Germany Ghana Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Italy Japan Jordan Kenya Kuwait Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Luxembourg Macao Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Moldova Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands Niger Nigeria Oman Pakistan Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Réunion Romania Russia Rwanda Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tanzania Thailand The United Kingdom Togo Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Afghanistan Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina Georgia Guam Hong Kong Israel Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Lithuania Maldives Micronesia Mongolia North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Palau Russia Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Palestine Sudan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Faroe Islands Gibraltar Greenland Iceland Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Moorhens are quite agile, being adept swimmers and walkers with the ability to climb trees and navigate floating vegetation. Their long toes and jerky swimming motion contribute to their nimbleness in aquatic environments.

Strength 40

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong compared to larger birds, Moorhens possess enough strength to defend territories and build nests using aquatic vegetation. Their ability to dive in shallow water also suggests moderate strength.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Moorhens demonstrate high adaptability, thriving in various freshwater habitats from rural to urban areas. Their omnivorous diet and ability to supplement it with human-provided food in cities further showcases their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

During breeding season, Moorhens become notably aggressive, vigorously defending their nesting sites against intruders. However, they are generally shy outside of this period, balancing their aggression score.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Moorhens exhibit good endurance, evidenced by their ability to swim, walk, and climb for extended periods. Their partial migratory nature and widespread distribution across various climates also suggest decent endurance levels.

Diet

Moorhens are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of aquatic plants, seeds, fruits, and small invertebrates, including worms and small fish. They will also feed on berries, carrion, and occasionally bird eggs.

They often forage by picking food from the water's surface or diving in shallow water. In urban areas, they may supplement their diet with bread and other food offered by humans.

Behaviour

Moorhens are agile swimmers and walkers, often seen nodding their heads while moving. They are generally shy but can become bolder in urban areas.

These birds are territorial during breeding season, with pairs vigorously defending their nesting sites against intruders.

Vocalisation

Moorhens have a varied vocal repertoire. Their most common call is a sharp, explosive 'kurr-uk' or 'krruk', often given in rapid succession.

During the breeding season, they produce softer, more musical notes. When alarmed, they emit a high-pitched 'skeeow' sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Moorhens typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which varies by region but often occurs in spring and summer. Courtship involves mutual preening and feeding.

Nests are built by both parents using reeds and other aquatic vegetation, often hidden in dense cover near water. The female lays 5-11 pale buff eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 21 days, and both parents share it. The chicks are precocial, able to leave the nest within days of hatching, but they are cared for by their parents for several weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While Moorhens are currently listed as Least Concern, they face threats from habitat loss and degradation of wetlands.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats, particularly in urban areas where these birds have adapted to live.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

5,000,000 - 9,999,999 individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Moorhens along the edges of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers
The Moorhen most closely resembles the Eurasian Coot, although Coots are larger and have plain black plumage and white bills
Listen for their distinctive 'kurr-uk' call, especially during early mornings and evenings
Observe their jerky swimming motion and tail-flicking behaviour
In the UK, visit wetland reserves or urban parks with water features for reliable sightings

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Common Moorhen, Waterhen

Family:

Rallidae

Average Lifespan

3 to 15 years

Predators

Moorhens face predation from various animals, including foxes, raccoons, large fish, birds of prey, and snakes. Eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to corvids and gulls.

Did You Know?

Moorhens can climb trees and sometimes roost in branches overhanging water.
They have long toes that help them walk on floating vegetation.
In some regions, Moorhens practice cooperative breeding, with offspring from previous broods helping to raise new chicks.

FAQs

Can Moorhens fly?

Moorhens can fly, although they are not the most graceful birds out there and prefer to fly longer distances at night.

Is a Moorhen a duck or a bird?

Moorhens are not ducks, although they certainly are birds. Moorhens are members of the Rallidae family, a group that contains other water birds like crakes, rails, and gallinules. Ducks are from the Anatidae family, which includes ducks, geese, and swans.

Why do Moorhens squeak?

Moorhens generally call to communicate with other members of their species. Common scenarios include territory defence or when they are alarmed. Their commonly heard ‘squeak’ call is used for various displays.

Do Moorhens visit gardens?

Moorhens occasionally visit gardens, and some even feed from bird feeders. However, these colourful waterbirds are not common garden birds and are most likely to frequent properties near ponds and other suitable habitats.

How to attract Moorhen

Moorhens are most at home around the water, and this habitat requirement makes them a difficult species to attract for most people. However, if you live up against a river or pond, sprinkling mealworms, wheat, and corn may attract them to feed.