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Black-tailed Native-hen

(Gallinula ventralis)
Alternative names: "Black-tailed Water-hen", "Black-tailed Gallinule", "Swamphen"
Aboriginal name: "gulbuwi" [yuwaalaraay]
Size: 32-38 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

The distribution of Black-tailed Native-hens across the Australian continent is complex and highly variable, depending on climate conditions. They occur mostly in the semi-arid interior of the continent (the Murray-Darling Basin, the eastern half of SA and the southern half of QLD), but are not found in the most arid part from about the Nullarbor to the Kimberleys. They occur in WA along the west and south coast (with exception of the extreme south-western tip) and the Fitzroy River. Not found along the top end (NT, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York) and the east coast and the Great Dividing Range of the continent.

Black-tailed Native-hens can be found in and around swamps and marshes and in ephemeral wetlands, often with high reeds and lignum.

Sightings

We have encountered Black-tailed Native-hens only a few times, first at our former neighbour's billabong, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, where a few birds stayed until it dried up. In September 2007 seen at Narrabri Lake, but not spotted again there until the present time.

There were plenty of Black-tailed Native-hens at Macquarie Marshes in April 2011, many of them foraging along Gibson's Way, right by the roadside.

A small group of 3 birds was found at the inlet of Yarrie Lake, about 30 km west of Narrabri, NSW, in mid-October 2011.

Photos

Lateral view of a Black-tailed Native-hen feeding in the shallow water of a mudflat

Lateral view of a bird in sunny conditions

Here the same bird as above, now in a shady area

Here a bird seen from behind

Black-tailed Native-hens trying to find cover after discovering that they were being observed from across a creek

Here they have changed into second gear (photo by R. Druce)

Two immature birds seen foraging along the roadside

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Dispersive/irruptive Elementary unit: Flock

Food

To the best of our knowledge all waterhens are vegetarian. Black-tailed Native-hens feed on reeds and aquatic plants.