These dark birds were feeding young in dark mud in an area with bright sunshine, so it was a bit of a challenge. It seems that these birds may not actually be the biological parents of these chicks, as this species is know to used collaborative breeding groups. (In fact I think this approach is more common in Australian birds than in any other region of the world.)
I have (finally) been able to organise some time away this week - and I'm looking forward to some time by the sea. What a year!
As ever, stay safe and join in with WBW: click the blue button and off you go! SM
Hello Stewart,
ReplyDeletenice pictures, as usual.
Hope all is fine with you.
All the best!
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteI love all of these, Stewart - but if forced, I'd settle for the second last! YAM xx
Yes similar to our UK Moorhen. I prefer the Moorhen chicks to the Coot chicks Thanks for hosting, stay safe and have a good week ahead
ReplyDeleteKind of like wet nurses?? Fun pictures..Enjoy the rest of your week..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Love the little ones!
ReplyDeleteCould those chicks be any cuter?
DeleteInteresting information about their communal breeding, I had not heard about this occurring in our US gallinules (I still want to say "Moorhens"). It must confer an advantage as their population is flourishing.
ReplyDeleteGreat series of images, Stewart. Family groups are always appealing.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear that you can be out and about now. It's been a long haul for sure and I'm anxiously awaiting the time for us to be able to do the same safely. Aren't the little ones wonderful?
ReplyDeleteIt takes a village to raise a moorhen! (Moorchick?.?). I never thought about that before, but how can the babies be called hens? )). By any name, they are cute little fuzz balls. The adults look very much like the ones I’ve seen here, but I’m not sure if ours have the white or not. Thanks for the virtual birding, that’s about the only kind I get these days.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Stewart the moorhens, the little one are so cute. Greetings Caroline
ReplyDeleteGreat photos with interesting info. Wish we coud go away for a bit but it is not going to happen. We now have curfew from 20h00 until 06h00 until the middle of January!! Sorry no blog, no time and computer very slow! Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteLove seeing those little chicks!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Hello Stewart
ReplyDeleteeverything fits here, light, sharpness and motifs are of the finest quality
in the right place at the right time
stay healthy
Greetings Frank
Aww, the little ones are cute!
ReplyDelete