Birds
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus · also called moorhen
Bobbing its head and flicking its tail with each stroke, a common moorhen strolls confidently across floating vegetation on long, unwebbed toes, a bird so similar to its American cousin that the two were only recognised as separate species in 2011.
Overview
The common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, is a widespread waterbird native to wetland habitat across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its distinctive red-and-yellow bill shield, long toes adapted for walking across floating vegetation, and relatively recent taxonomic split from the closely related American common gallinule make it one of the more recognisable and scientifically interesting waterbirds found across the Old World.
Two species that used to be one
For most of scientific history, the common moorhen and its American counterpart were treated as a single widespread species, and it took detailed genetic and physical comparison in 2011 to finally confirm that the two populations had actually diverged enough to be recognised separately.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable wetland habitat throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Common Moorhen: common questions
Is the common moorhen the same species as the common gallinule?
No, not anymore, since this species was considered the same species as the American common gallinule until a 2011 taxonomic revision split the two into separate species based on genetic and physical differences, even though they look extremely similar.
How does the common moorhen walk on floating plants?
This species has notably long, unwebbed toes that distribute its weight effectively across a wide surface area, allowing it to walk confidently on floating lily pads and other aquatic vegetation without sinking.
How can you identify a common moorhen while it swims?
This species has a distinctive swimming style, bobbing its head forward and flicking its tail with each stroke, a habit combined with its red-and-yellow bill shield and white flank stripe that makes it easy to identify even at a distance.
Where does the common moorhen live?
This species is native to wetland habitat across a broad range spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia, occupying a wide variety of freshwater marshes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers within that range.