USUALLY RECLUSIVE

[FUJI]

Moorhens are usually very reclusive water fowl that hide under banks and foliage as soon as any kind of danger threatens, but, because the little flock on our local Pool are used to regular walkers, duck feeders, dog walkers and council maintenence and mowing machinery they dont turn a hair (or should it be feather?)

 

These are obviously pairing up for Spring....the white signal feathers on their tails get brighte and larger at this time of year, and the bird walks with a clockwork-toy jerkiness so the feather signal like mad, especially if danger threatens:

 

The call of a Moorhen is surprisingly harsh and loud for their size.................I remember getting a clip around my ear for collecting Moorhen eggs to eat when I was a young teenager....the eggs are very good to eat, but are very small.

 

Best viewed LARGE.....Click on Pic:

 

To see them further take a look on YouTube:

 

FUJI

[NannyFerret]

I hope they will be around when we go next.

They are lovely little birds. I have some pics of them nesting on the reeds at the side of the pool.

[KateW]

Lovely photos and description. I have to say, I've never seen a photo of a moorhen's bum before! 

[roicead]

nicely done, we see them a lot when we visit florida in the springtime.