moorhen

The moorhen, scientifically known as Gallinula chloropus, is a medium-sized waterbird belonging to the Rallidae family. It is also commonly called the common moorhen or swamp chicken. These birds are found throughout much of the Old World, with breeding populations across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and have also been introduced to parts of the Americas.

Moorhens are typically dark, with blackish plumage, a white stripe on their flanks, and a distinctive red frontal shield on their forehead. Their bills are also red, tipped with yellow. Juvenile moorhens are browner and lack the red frontal shield. They are often seen in pairs or small groups, foraging in shallow water, on the banks of ponds, lakes, rivers, and canals, as well as in marshes and flooded fields. Their diet consists mainly of plant matter, but they will also consume insects, small fish, and other invertebrates.

These birds are known for their nervous behavior, often flicking their tails from side to side. They are capable swimmers and divers, using their lobed feet for propulsion. Moorhens build bulky nests of vegetation, usually on the water's edge or on floating platforms. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding the young. Despite their widespread distribution, moorhens are generally not considered threatened, though habitat loss can be a concern in some areas.