Dusky Moorhen

Images ©:

Dusky Moorhen - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | Dusky Moorhen - Michael Seyfort

Gallinula tenebrosa

Male and female similar. Dark grey to black with a yellow-tipped scarlet bill and scarlet forehead-shield, dark eye, long reddish legs with slender toes and white undertail. Immature birds are browner with a greenish bill and forehead shield. Size 35-40 cm.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Rail
Biology

Breeds August-March. A bulky shallow nest is built in rushes or reeds or on floating platforms in open water. May also nest in branches or stumps of waterside trees. In the breeding season, breeding groups of up to 7 birds form. All members of the group assist with incubation of the eggs and feeding the young.
Distinctive Markings

Yellow-tipped scarlet bill.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Gruiformes
Family
Rallidae
Genus
Gallinula
Species
tenebrosa
Eastern, south-eastern and south-western Australia and Tasmania.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Dusky Moorhens flick their tails while feeding revealing a white undertail.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore, feeds in the water and on land. Eats algae, water plants, grasses, invertebrates including molluscs, fruits and seeds.
Habitat

Well-vegetated wetlands, lakes, parks, dams, rivers with grassy margins, trees or introduced willows.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
Rapidly repeated "krek" or "krok", harsh and repeated screeches.