Defensive - Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa form breeding groups of two to seven birds, with all members defending territory
Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa Is a water bird in the rail family and is found in Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. Dusky Moorhen occuring in New Guinea tend to be smaller, at 25-32 cm in length, than those in Australian at 35-40 cm. Two other similar water hen species are the Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra and the Purple Swamp Hen, Porphyrio porphyrio. The Dusky Moorhen is found in wetland areas such as swamps, rivers, and artificial waterways. They have a preference to open water and areas with reeds, rushes and waterlilies, These water birds can also be found on grasses close to water such as parks, pastures and lawns. Dusky Moorhen are omniverous feeding on algae, water plants and grasses, as well as seeds, fruits, molluscs and other invertebrates. It will also eat carrion and the droppings of other birds. In the breeding season Dusky Moorhen form breeding groups of two to seven birds, with all members defending territory, building nests and looking after young. 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.
Size: 5500px × 3682px
Location: Rural South East Queensalnd Australia
Photo credit: © Adrian Page / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: aggression, australia, bill, bird, blue, claws, dark, dusky, facial, fauna, feet, fighting, gallinula, grey-black, guinea, indonesia., lake, lilypads, moorhen, open, pond, queensland, rail, red, se, shield, splashing, tenebrosa, tip, undertail, water, waterways, wetland, white, yellow
