moorhen

Everyday

A moorhen is a black water bird with a red and yellow beak and a white stripe on its side, often seen on ponds, rivers and canals. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons in the UK, Ireland and other countries, moorhens are common pond birds; they swim with jerking heads and walk on floating plants with long green toes. They build nests near water. In North America a very similar bird is called the common gallinule. Coots are similar but have a white beak.

Examples

• A moorhen swam across the duck pond. tree →
• The moorhen has a bright red beak. tree →
• Moorhen chicks are fluffy and black. tree →
• Moorhens flick their tails when nervous. tree →
• We counted three moorhens on the canal. tree →
• A moorhen built its nest in the reeds. tree →

Note

Countable. Both males and females are called moorhens, though hen usually means female. Moor here comes from an old word for marsh, not moorland. Do not confuse with the coot, which has a white beak and forehead.