Moorhen

The moorhen is a familiar sight on park ponds and village meres across Britain: a compact waterbird with dark plumage, a brilliant red-and-yellow bill, and long green toes that spread its weight as it walks on floating vegetation.

Moorhens are bolder than many wetland birds, often feeding openly at the water's edge and squabbling noisily with rivals. When alarmed, they flick their white undertail feathers — a flash signal — before diving for cover in reeds.

Freshwater ponds, lakes, canals, and reedbeds with plenty of marginal vegetation suit moorhens across the UK. They nest in dense reed or bush cover at the water's edge and feed on plants, seeds, and small aquatic insects.