RAILS, COOTS

Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus

Family Rallidae (Rails, Coots)

Size: 14"

Season: Year-round near the coast, summer inland

Habitat: Freshwater ponds and wetlands

The Common Moorhen, like the American Coot, is a type of rail that behaves more like a duck. It paddles along, bobbing its head up and down, picking at the water surface for any small aquatic animals, insects, or plants. Having short wings, it is a poor flier, but its very long toes allow it to walk on floating vegetation. It is overall dark gray, with a brownish back, black head, and white areas on the tail and sides. In breeding plumage, the forehead shield is deep red and the bill is red with a yellow tip. It is also known as the Common Gallinule. The breeding adult is illustrated.