Lesser Moorhen

Paragallinula angulata

Secluded inland waters. Small shield and culmen red; rest of bill yellow.

Coots, Gallinules, Moorhens

Not Endemic

Description

Uncommon summer resident. Small, secretive waterbird similar to the more common and confiding [Common Moorhen]. Differs from that species in paler grey or greenish plumage, mostly yellow bill with red only on the culmen and pointed (not rounded) frontal shield. Legs greenish or red-brown but lack the red tibial rings of (Common Moorhen). Immature much duller. The call is three to five rapid hoots ‘tu-tu-tu…’. Occurs singly or in pairs on shallow ponds with surface and fringing vegetation, vleis and flooded grassland. Erratic and secretive, arriving in large numbers in temporarily suitable habitats.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Small to fairly large, long-legged, large-footed, mainly freshwater-associated birds. A few species inhabit grassland, vleis or lush forest undergrowth. Most water-associated species habitually flick their tails to reveal white undertail coverts. Coots and moorhens are blackish with brightly coloured frontal shields (foreheads) and bills. Gallinules have blue-green plumage. Many species are extremely secretive and almost impossible to see, except when they fly clumsily with feet hanging low over vegetation.