Common Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 10.5 inches Wingspan: 21 inches
* Fairly large, duck-like waterbird with short wings and a short tail
* Very short, thick bill
* Frequently seen both swimming and walking
* Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white outer undertail coverts which are also easily visible while swimming
* Sexes similar

Adult:

* Red frontal shield above bill
* Red bill with a yellow tip
* Slate gray head, neck, breast and belly
* Brownish back and upperwings
* White stripe along upper flanks
* Tarsus and feet greenish yellow, tibia red

Juvenile:

* Small, dull red frontal shield
* Dark bill with dull yellow tip
* Pale gray-brown head and underparts
* Whitish throat and belly
* Dark gray-brown upperparts
* White stripe along flanks

Similar species:

In poor light, adult can be confused with Purple Gallinule, but can be distinguished by red forehead shield and white flank stripe. American Coot has a whitish bill, lacks the flank stripe and has a slate gray back. Immature Purple Gallinules are much paler and lack the white flank stripe.