adult in breeding plumage (California, USA; 2007-12-31)


Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus

Native Range: Worldwide

Notes: adults resemble coots but have red (rather than white) bill, a white stripe along the side of the body; and non-webbed (rather than lobed) toes; either walks through reeds or appears to be swimming while shuffling through shallow water.

yellow tip on red bill and forehead shield (California, USA; 2007-12-29) adult in breeding plumage (Northern Ireland; 2008-09-06)
adult in nonbreeding plumage, with duller bill (California, USA; 2007-09-16) breeding (right) and nonbreeding (left) adults (Florida, USA; 2007-12-29)
chicks (California, USA; 2009-06-28) juvenile (California, USA; 2007-01-21)
juvenile, also showing white stripe along side (Florida, USA; 2007-12-29) juvenile walking; note the long unlobed toes (Luxembourg; 2007-10-17)
with American Coot to the right of picture (Florida, USA; 2007-12-29) adult; note the long spreading toes (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
juvenile swimming (Panama; 2008-06-12) with American Coot to the right of picture (Florida, USA; 2007-12-29)
juvenile walkiing (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01) adult swimming (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01)