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Dusky Moorhen

(Gallinula tenebrosa)
Alternative names: "Black Moor-hen", "Black Gallinule"
Size: 35-40 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Dusky Moorhens populate basically the eastern part of the Australian continent, including northern Tasmania, plus the south-western corner of WA. They are most common along the south and east coast, the Murray-Darling Basin and the Great Dividing Range. After substantial rainfalls they can disperse along the rivers leading into the semi-arid interior, thereby populating about the eastern half of the continent, up to Lake Eyre. In WA they can spread throughout about the western third of the state. They are not found in most of the tropical north and the arid parts of the continent.

Dusky Moorhens live around fresh water lakes, rivers and ephemeral wetlands, often in tall reeds.

Sightings

We spotted a Dusky Moorhen for the first time in May 2006 in a park in Sydney.

Subsequently seen regularly on fresh water in inland NSW, e.g. at Narrabri Lake, Narrabri, NSW, where we observed a number of them from 2008 onwards.

Photos

Frontal view of a Dusky Moorhen

Lateral view of a Dusky Moorhen

Lateral view of a swimming Dusky Moorhen

Here seen from behind

Lateral view of a Dusky Moorhen, showing clearly two separate white patches

Hey, stay here! I want to - you know what...

Immature Dusky Moorhen just starting to look like an adult (in the foreground an immature Australasian Grebe)

This bird was observed at the end of winter

Bird of a similar age as the one shown above, now seen from behind

Dusky Moorhen with two chicks

Dusky Moorhen with one of its two chicks

Dusky Moorhen chick on its own

This chick is afraid it is going to be abandoned - or worse, caught by the photographer...

Behaviour

The name of this species, "tenebrosa" (=timid), indicates that these waterhens are shy. This is why they have a preference for aquatic habitats with high reeds: They use the reeds for cover.

Food

To the best of our knowledge all waterhens are vegetarian. Dusky Moorhens feed on reeds and aquatic plants.