Gallinula tenebrosa
The Dusky Moorhen is a medium-sized, dark grey-black water bird with a white undertail. It has a red bill with a yellow tip and a red facial shield. Young birds are much duller and browner than adults, with a greenish bill and face shield. Voice: Sharp guttural crowing or harsh shrieks.
Not Threatened.
The Dusky Moorhen is a medium-sized, dark grey-black water bird with a white undertail. It has a red bill with a yellow tip and a red facial shield. Young birds are much duller and browner than adults, with a greenish bill and face shield. Voice: Sharp guttural crowing or harsh shrieks.
34-38 cm,
Taxonomy:
- Gallinula tenebrosa Gould, 1846, South Australia. Sometimes considered conspecific with G. chloropus, or to form superspecies, but the two are sympatric in Wallacea. Three subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * frontata Wallace, 1863 - SE Borneo and Sulawesi through S Moluccas and Lesser Sundas to W & SE New Guinea. * neumanni Hartert, 1930 - N New Guinea. * tenebrosa Gould, 1846 - Australia.
The Dusky Moorhen is found in wetlands, including swamps, rivers, and artificial waterways. It prefers open water and water margins with reeds, rushes and waterlilies, but may be found on grasses close to water such as parks, pastures and lawns.
The Dusky Moorhen feeds in the water and on land on algae, water plants and grasses, as well as seeds, fruits, molluscs and other invertebrates. It will also eat carrion (dead animals) and the droppings of other birds. It does not dive when feeding; its tail is always visible above the water when upended.
During breeding season, the Dusky Moorhen forms breeding groups of two to seven birds, with all members defending territory, building nests and looking after young. The shallow platform nests are made of reeds and other water plants over water, among reeds or on floating platforms in open water. Two or more females will lay their eggs in the same nest and all members of the group help to incubate the eggs and feed the young. Breeding season: August to March Clutch size: 5 to 18, usually from more than one female Incubation: 24 days Time in nest: 28 days.