Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Wild Bird Wednesday 75 - Dusky Moorhen.

So, finally, I have a WBW bird where the name makes sense - well sort of anyway.

This is the Dusky Moorhen - Gallinula tenebrosa - a close relative of the common Moorhen, which is found all over the world.  "Moor" in this case is an old term for a swamp - so this is a swamp hen - which is just about as accurate a name as you can find.

I'l just post some pictures of this bird - hopefully showing that while it may be Dusky, it's not without some charm.






Now its over to you - click on the link below and off you go!  (It's been a long day, and I have just got back from a school Christmas event - hence the brevity of the post!)

Posted by at

34 comments:

  1. Dave18 December 2013 at 02:04

    Charming indeed Stewart.

    Unbelievably I had a Common Moorhen visit my waterless garden for 4 days running last winter....

    Some lovely light on your images here, lovely shots mate.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sallie (FullTime-Life)18 December 2013 at 02:21

    I like these birds a lot -- and we do see them (exactly the same for a change). Lovely pictures -- hard to get,they're shy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. TexWisGirl18 December 2013 at 02:22

    love the smoky, charcoal grey!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sylvia K18 December 2013 at 02:24

    Handsome fellow for the day!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. HansHB18 December 2013 at 02:32

    A great serie of this Dusky Moorhen! Very special bird!
    We have "sivhøne" and "sothøne" in Norway. Perhaps the same famely?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hootin Anni18 December 2013 at 02:34

    Their charcoal coloring is dazzling in the lighting you're captured today, Stewart.

    ReplyDelete
  7. EG CameraGirl18 December 2013 at 03:03

    Ah, your moorhens look a lot like ours in North America.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Andrea @ From The Sol18 December 2013 at 03:17

    I'm not a guy, but if I were and I was a leg guy, I would be hot for those colorful legs. Dusky or not, I love the legs and the smudge of red on their faces. My Mother used to have Moorhens on her pond, but I don't remember them being so colorful. They behaved a lot like chickens on the ground ... I think their personalities befit them :)Great post, Stewart ...

    Andrea @ From The Sol

    ReplyDelete
  9. Karen18 December 2013 at 03:25

    It's quite attractive, and the chick is sweet! Terrific shots Stewart!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rohrerbot18 December 2013 at 03:42

    Yes....it is a bit duskier:) Although it looks like a Common Moorhen to me....kinda:) I love their chicks. Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous18 December 2013 at 03:43

    What a striking bird, lovely photos!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Montanagirl18 December 2013 at 05:39

    They have big feet - for wading? Very attractive bird.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Findlay Wilde18 December 2013 at 06:28

    I really like their rainbow legs. From Finday

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous18 December 2013 at 06:40

    That certainly is an interesting bird. Very unusual shape.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sharon Wagner18 December 2013 at 07:24

    A good name indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Phil Slade18 December 2013 at 07:41

    OK, I'll let you off that one. It is a bit on the greyish side of black but not a patch on a real Moorhen. Only kidding of course. Thanks for being a great host Stewart.

    ReplyDelete
  17. eileeninmd18 December 2013 at 08:56

    The Moorhens are cool birds, great shots Stewart. Thanks for hosting, have a happy week!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mary Howell Cromer18 December 2013 at 09:16

    I think it to be quite charming. I wonder why they use names like Common and Dusky when naming lovely creatures.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous18 December 2013 at 10:28

    What a dark beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Pallavi18 December 2013 at 10:40

    It does have a mystical beauty about it.. Swampy but still charming :) have a great week ahead Stewart !

    ReplyDelete
  21. Christian Perrin18 December 2013 at 13:20

    Beautiful shots - looks like a very co-operative bird standing like that in the light!

    I've looked at a few of these related birds around the world and they all look the same to me!

    ReplyDelete
  22. mick18 December 2013 at 15:55

    A great series of photos. I especially like the first one with the adult and juvenile.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous18 December 2013 at 16:06

    Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Brian King18 December 2013 at 16:23

    Beautiful shots! I like the contrast of bill and legs against the plumage. They're similar to our Moorhen.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Margaret Birding For Pleasure18 December 2013 at 19:18

    Hi Stewart Love the many colours in this birds legs. I won't be posting next week as it is Christmas Day so may I wish you and your family a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and may you have a blessed new year. Thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Gordon18 December 2013 at 22:13

    Its always good to hear of a new bird, though I have to say (as you know)ours is a tad more colourful.
    All the best Gordon.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous19 December 2013 at 02:30

    They're really rather pretty! Great series of photos, Stewart. You captured them at their best!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Optimistic Existentialist19 December 2013 at 03:06

    He's a beauty!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Maude Lynn19 December 2013 at 07:02

    What a unique bird!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Larry19 December 2013 at 08:34

    Great shots of the Dusky Moorhen Stewart! I always en joy seeing the "Common Gallinule" (Moorhen, Swamphen) here too, especially during breeding season.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Adam Tilt19 December 2013 at 08:41

    Great shots Stewart. Not dissimilar from the Moorhen we get here in the UK.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anne (cornucopia)19 December 2013 at 09:18

    Interesting looking bird.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Small City Scenes19 December 2013 at 16:50

    Interesting feet and beaks. Nice shots. MB

    ReplyDelete
  34. Pat Tillett20 December 2013 at 10:54

    I really like his dark coloring. His legs are pretty colorful as well. I'd say he is a handsome bird!
    Nice photos Stewart!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)