Common Moorhen, Purple Gallinule and Common Coot

Purple Gallinule

The Rail family of birds includes moorhens, gallinules and coots.  All are marsh birds that have a chicken-like appearance but act more like wading birds and ducks.  All eat a variety of seeds, and mostly aquatic insects (some land based worms and grubs too).

The Common Moorhen is black for the males and brown for the hens with a red fleshy area over their beak.  The Purple Gallinule is a flashy turquoise with purple accents and the red fleshy area over the beak.  The Common Coot is black with the white fleshy area over the beak.  All behave fairly the same.   Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.

Common Moorhen

Common Coot

Purple Gallinule