Moorhens
Photo courtesy of Pat Smith
Moorhens are blackish with a red and yellow beak and long, green legs. Seen closer-up, they have a dark brown back and wings and a more bluish-black belly, with white stripes on the flanks.
Around any pond, lake, stream or river, or even ditches in farmland. Moorhens can live in cities as well as the countryside. In the UK they breed in in lowland areas, especially in central and eastern England. They’re scarce in northern Scotland and the uplands of Wales and northern England. UK breeding birds are residents and seldom travel far.
When to see them
Any time of year, and any time of day. You might even hear them calling at night.
What they eat
Water plants, seeds, fruit, grasses, insects, snails, worms and small fish.
Canada Goose Coot Grey Heron Black headed gull Kingfisher Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Reed Bunting