Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Common Moorhen is a dark waterbird with a red forehead and a yellow-tipped red bill, found across much of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its endangered Mariana Moorhen lives on Guam and in the Northern Mariana Islands. On the U.S. mainland, a similar red-billed marsh bird is usually the Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata).

Appearance

Appearance: Adults are dark with a red forehead, a red bill tipped yellow, and white marks along the sides and under the tail. They are about 12–15 in (30–38 cm) long.

Look-alikes

Common GallinuleGallinula galeata

The two look very similar in a photo. On the U.S. mainland, location usually points to Common Gallinule; calls and careful review help with rare exceptions.

Why they get mixed upBoth have a red forehead and bill and a white side stripe.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: marshes
vegetated ponds and canals
Range: The species lives across much of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its Mariana Moorhen subspecies occurs on Guam and in the Northern Mariana Islands; other forms are only rare visitors to North America.
Preferred conditions: It favors water bordered by thick plants where it can hide and nest.

Behavior

Diet: It eats aquatic plants and small animals found in and beside the water.
Activity: It often swims along cover or walks across floating plants on its long toes.

Life cycle

Nest: It builds a nest among dense waterside plants.

Name and classification

About the name: Older North American guides used Common Moorhen for birds now placed in the separate Common Gallinule. The Common Moorhen is also called the Eurasian Moorhen.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction
Status: The Mariana Moorhen is federally listed as endangered in the U.S. territories where it occurs.

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