Western Europe Birds & Birding (#9/52): From the Highland Willow Scrub of Scotland to the Aegean Islands in the Sea of Crete, Western Europe is home to over 800 resident, migratory and vagrant birds. From songbirds to gamebirds and from waterfowl to raptors, you can find birds virtually in every nook and cranny of this beautiful area. *All images showcased in this blog series were taken and edited by me.

A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

The Eurasian Moorhen, scientifically known as Gallinula chloropus, is a distinctive bird that is often found in well-vegetated marshes, ponds, lakes, and along slow-moving watercourses with bordering vegetation.

Physical Characteristics:

Physically, the Eurasian Moorhen resembles a cross between a duck and a chicken. Adults have a bright red bill with a yellow tip, while immatures have a duller bill and legs. They are predominantly black or blackish overall with white oval patches under the tail, and white streaks along the flanks. The head and neck of the bird are dark-gray to black colored, and the rest of their upper parts are olive-green to olive-brown. They have red eyes, and yellow legs, and feet.

Diet:

When it comes to their diet, Eurasian Moorhens are omnivorous. They feed on various aquatic and terrestrial plants, worms, insects, and small fish. They also feed on berries, carrion, and occasionally bird eggs. They eat many different small aquatic creatures, such as snails, small frogs, and fish, as well as land animals including rodents and lizards.

Abundance and Distribution:

In terms of abundance and distribution, the Eurasian Moorhen is found across many parts of the Old World. They become more numerous and widespread in North Africa and southern Asia during the northern winter⁴.

IUCN Red List Status:

As for its conservation status, the Eurasian Moorhen is classified as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List. This means that currently, the species is not considered to be at risk of extinction.

EURASIAN MOORHEN WAS LIFER # 783

Eurasian Moorhen 02 Oct 2022 St James’s Park (do not list Barnacle Goose and other captive birds) | GB-ENG

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