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Moorhen
Dusky Moorhen - Gallinula
tenbrosa
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Mm
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Moorhens are found all over the world and are common in ponds, lakes and swamps as well as cultivated parks with wetlands. The Australian Dusky Moorhen is very similar to the world-wide Common Moorhen, complete with yellow-tipped red beak and red head-shield, and is equally abundant.
A curious feature of moorhens is that they are capable, although not powerful, swimmers yet their feet are not webbed at all. They are often bullied by large water birds, swans in particular are rather intolerant of moorhens, and their slow paddling means they are easily caught.
They make a platform nest, near water, made from a range of water plants. The newly hatched young can swim from a very early age and, like ducklings, follow their parents everywhere.
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