The common moorhen, also known as the waterhen or swamp chicken, is a fascinating bird species found in wetland habitats across much of the world. Known for its distinctive appearance and behavior, the common moorhen is a frequent sight in brackish marshes, ponds, lakeshores, and other freshwater and mixed vegetation areas.
These birds are superbly adapted to their aquatic lifestyle, with their sleek bodies, long legs, and partially webbed feet enabling them to navigate through shallow water with ease. Common moorhens are skilled swimmers, propelling themselves with powerful kicks of their legs while using their wings for balance and stability. They are also adept at diving and can spend considerable time underwater in search of food.
Speaking of food, common moorhens are omnivorous and have a varied diet that includes both plant matter and small aquatic animals. They feed on a wide range of vegetation, such as leaves, seeds, and roots, as well as insects, small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks that they glean from the water’s surface or capture with their sharp beaks.
During the breeding season, which typically occurs from spring to summer, common moorhens engage in elaborate courtship rituals. Females play an active role in courtship, displaying to attract males with a series of behaviors that may include vocalizations, wing-flapping, and swimming displays. Once a pair bond is formed, the birds work together to build a nest, usually constructed at the water’s edge among dense vegetation. The nest is a sturdy structure made from twigs, leaves, and other plant material, providing a secure environment for the eggs and chicks.
Female common moorhens typically lay clutches of 8-10 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for around three weeks until they hatch. After hatching, both parents are involved in caring for the chicks, providing them with food and protection until they are old enough to fend for themselves. Interestingly, common moorhens may engage in cooperative breeding, with other members of the group assisting in raising the chicks.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bosnia And Herz.
Botswana
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
China
Comoros
Congo-Brazzaville
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Official estimate
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Guam
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
Niger
Nigeria
Nort. Mariana Is.
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Réunion
Saint Helena
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Svalbard
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
São Tomé & Príncipe
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
UAE
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
