Common Moorhen of the UK and Ireland

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The Common Moorhen (gallinula chloropus) is one of the commonest and most widespread wading birds of Britain and Ireland. They are also known as the Moorhen, the Eurasian Moorhen, the Common Waterhen, the Marsh Hen, common gallinule (north America) and the Water Chicken.

The Moorhen is a pigeon-sized wading bird who is often confused with its cousin, the Coot. Adults measure 32 to 35 cm (or 12.5 to 14 inches) long and weigh between 250 and 420 grams (or 9 to 15 ounces).

Males and females are alike. Adults are nearly black with a white line along the flanks. The white under the tail is conspicuous. The back, wings and tail are tinged with brown. The bill is red with a yellow tip. There is a rounded, red frontal shield on head. The yellow-green legs are long with large toes that allow them to walk on slippery surfaces (eg floating plants). Immature birds are greyish-brown with paler underparts and a greenish bill.

The Moorhen belongs to the Rallidae (or rail) family of birds that includes their cousin the Coot. Their scientific name of Gallinula chloropus means "bird of the marshes". Adults start breeding when they are 1 year of age. The average lifespan of the Moorhen is 3 years.

Moorhens, who are solitary and shy birds, inhabit varying sizes of freshwater areas with plenty of vegetation that include lakes, reservoirs, marshes, streams, gravel pits, small ponds and ditches. Their habitat is both slow or still water in natural or manmade wetlands. They have also adapted to similar habitats in cities (eg St James's Park in London). They are generally found in lowland areas and tend to avoid higher ground and salt water areas.

Moorhens are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. Their diet includes insects, earthworms, snails, tadpoles, small fish, spiders, berries, seeds, aquatic plants, algae and animals (lizards). Sometimes eggs from other species of birds are eaten that are found in damp ground or the shallow areas of water.

They are solitary feeders who forage for food while walking on water plants, on the ground or sifting food from the surface of the water while swimming. These birds remain near vegetation and are not found in open water or diving. Moorhens have a nervous way of constantly jerking their heads and tails both on land and when swimming in the water. Their strong legs allow them to swim or run for cover if alarmed.

Moorhens are resident birds may be seen in most areas of Britain and Ireland throughout the year. They are absent from the Scottish Highlands, the higher ground in Wales, parts of the south-west and northern Britain and the some western areas of the Republic of Ireland. Resident birds tend to remain in the same place where they hatched. However some fly to different areas at night searching for new pools, ponds etc which may be more suitable. Pairs remain on their territories throughtout the year.

Resident birds are joined wintering Moorhens from northern Europe (Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark). Wintering birds form small groups that feed and roost together on drier, open land that is usually near water and includes meadows, road-side verges, arable land or reedbeds. They may be joined by resident birds if the winter is severe.

Moorhens are adaptable birds who breed in any lowland freshwater body from small farm ponds to the fringes of large lakes with plenty of vegetation. Breeding pairs, who are monogamous, defend their territory against intruders and are far less timid than in other seasons of the year. Females often fight by kicking with their feet when competing for males. Males charge intruders who are near their nest with their head low in the water.

The breeding season is long, from March to August. The female builds a display platform as well as an acutal nest. The display platform is used for courtship and built from late-February onwards. It is made of twigs, reed and other vegetation. The nest is made either on the ground among vegetation, in a hedge, in deep water or high in a tree near water (edge of a lake, in a tussock in marshes). It is a platform of reeds and other green water plants lined with finer grass and leaves that is formed into a shallow or deep bowl.

Six to twelve eggs are laid between April and July which are reddish-buff in colour, spotted with red brown. Eggs hatch after 20 to 21 days and the young are fledged after 40 to 50 days. Both parents look after the young and can rear 2 or 3 broods a year. "Dump-nesting" can occur in the breeding season, when more than one female lays eggs in the same nest. Brood nests are also made when the chicks are born and are similar to nests.

Chicks are often described as little balls of "black fluff" who follow their parents around, paddling frantically after them. The previous years offspring are not chased away by their parents. Young birds help their parents raise younger siblings and are called "nest helpers" ( Taylor and Francis). This type of behaviour is called cooperative breeding. Moorhens are just one of two species that breed cooperatively in Britain and Ireland.

Their natural predators are humans (hunting), foxes, herons and the American Mink. Nests and chicks are vulnerable to predators.

The Moorhen is classified as of Least Concern by IUCN.

The global population is not considered Vulnerable by conservationist groups (such as Birdlife International) due to the wide range of these birds (Europe, Asia, Africa). The European population is considered to be Secure.

The UK population declined by 9% between 1995 and 2011 (RSPB) and are a green listed species of bird. The Breeding Bird Survey reported the Moorhen population increased by 4% in Britain between 2013/14 (BBS - page 12).

The Moorhen is also green listed in Ireland. Birdwatch reported the Moorhen population in Ireland increased between 1998 and 2010 (Birdwatch - page 6).

Moorhens suffer declines in severe, cold winters but make a rapid recovery in the following years.

The increasing numbers of Canada Geese are thought to be responsible for the decline of Moorhens and other species of birds living near them because of competition for food etc. "Every day, they are driving out the other birds from parks and riverbanks. Moorhens and coots are particularly at risk" (Daily Mail).

Other reasons for the decline include wetland drainage, loss of habitat, dredging and removal of bankside vegetation, loss of farm ponds, susceptibility to very cold winters, the predatory American Mink, pollution of their habitat ( Politics.co.uk) and trapped in fishing lines ( Daily Gazette) .