moorhens

Red-beaked water birds

Moorhens are medium-sized waterbirds with dark plumage, a red and yellow bill, and long greenish legs.

They're found near freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes, where they bob their heads while swimming and pick through vegetation at the water's edge.

Despite the name, they're related to coots, not hens: A moorhen paddled among the reeds.

behavior

foraging

Seeking wild food sources

swimmingLocomotion through water
bobbingRhythmic vertical movement
divingEntering water deliberately

territorial · flicking · tail · paddling · wading · pecking · nesting · feeding · floating · skulking

habitat

wetlands

Water-saturated terrain

pondsSmall freshwater bodies
marshesWaterlogged land with grasses
reedsHollow-stemmed marsh plants

cattails · riverbanks · canals · lakes · streams · ditches · sedge · rushes · waterways · reservoirs

ornithology

gallinule

Aquatic rail family bird

waterbirdAvian that frequents lakes
railHorizontal support bar
cootLobed-foot marsh bird

wader · wetland · marsh · pond · reed · plumage · red · frontal · shield · yellow

Categories

waterbirdsducks, auk, geese, bittern, swans
duckpondsducks, mallards, geese, swans, water lilies
freshwaterponds, river water, freshwater lake, creek, brook
wetlandsswamp, swamps, marsh, marshes, marshland

Opposites

aquatic vs terrestrial birds

moorhensroadrunners

Ground cuckoos of arid lands

ostriches · pheasants · quail · grouse · prairie chickens

rail family vs other waterbirds

moorhensducks

Waterfowl or evades

geese · swans · grebes · mallards · pelicans

freshwater vs marine birds

moorhensseabirds

Ocean-dwelling avians

albatrosses · petrels · puffins · gulls · cormorants

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G