Common moorhen / Teichhuhn (Gallinula chloropus)

Teichhuhn. 2025-12-31 14:22:31 Switzerland

Observations

First documented observation: 2021-02-12 in Jona. Most recent observation: 2025-12-31 in Switzerland.

Description

Classification: Genus Gallinula (Gallinula); Family Rails (Rallidae)
Geography: This bird appears across the great seas in the following continents: Europe, North America, Africa, Asia.
General: Seen at the Pfäffikersee walking across the path from one set of reeds to another. An apprentice at the nature center gave us the identification, presuming it was a juvenile because of the lack of color. I'd have said its legs were shorter, but the moorhen definitely has the main trait we saw, that it holds its short tail in the air.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel, Wintergast RL V
Habitat: Common Moorhens prefer to nest in the thicket on the edge of ponds, lakes or rivers and mostly only give themselves away through their guttural calls. They are easier to observe in winter because then they leave their well-vegetated habitat and are seen in meadows, parks and on open waters. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-20 - 08-09
Migration in: 03-01 - 05-01
Migration out: 09-07 - 12-16
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=32-35 cm, wingspan=50-55 cm, weight=240-420 g
Habitats: Wetland

Vocalisation

Song: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording.
Song: Most typical is the territorial call (song); a sharp, loud and resonant "krrrr-ook" or "krrrk". [Link] Song attributes: Frequency:
XC946631 - Common Moorhen call, like a quack - Gallinula chloropus. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC946631 - Common Moorhen call, like a quack - Gallinula chloropus.mp3 (call)


Calls: Rich repertoire of loud calls and softer sounds. Other calls; a sharp, three or four-syllable "kekeke", and a soft "wep" sometimes drawn-out in a more mewing version. [Link]

Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz), Special sounds: quack.