Common Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

The Common Moorhen is a widely spread bird, found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.  They are often found with their close relative, the American Coot, but are usually more shy and retiring.  They are generally just casual migrants and visitors to the state.

Habitat: Prefers freshwater marshes with some open water.   

Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on many aquatic plants, fruits and berries of terrestrial plants, earthworms, tadpoles, insects and insect larvae, snails, and occasionally bird eggs.

Breeding: Generally a non-breeder in South Dakota, although there are a handful of scattered records.

Song: Common Moorhen song

Migrations: Summers in scattered locations through the eastern third of the U.S., and locally in the southwestern United States.  Southwestern populations and those in the deep South may not migrate, while most elsewhere winter near the Atlantic coastline.

Similar Species: American Coot, Purple Gallinule

Status: Population and range lower than historical levels due to wetland loss, but still locally common throughout its range.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Common Moorhen

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Common Moorhen"

3) E-nature.com: Common Moorhen

Photo Information: Out-of-state photo -- September 14th, 2004 -- Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, northwest Missouri -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click here for additional higher-resolution photos of this species.

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This page was last edited on 02/03/08