The Lesser Moorhen is a small, relatively common water bird found in freshwater wetlands across much of sub-Saharan Africa. It resembles a small moorhen, with dark plumage, a green bill, and a red frontal shield, and yellowish legs. This species is generally more secretive than its larger relatives.
Where to spot
Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. Inhabits freshwater marshes, swamps, reedy ponds, and rice paddies.
How to spot
Look for its small size, dark body, green bill with a red frontal shield, and yellowish legs. It often forages at the edge of dense vegetation. Listen for its calls, which include a series of dry 'kek-kek' notes or a soft churring.
When to spot
Year-round resident. Most active at dawn and dusk, but also seen during the day.
Where to spot
Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. Inhabits freshwater marshes, swamps, reedy ponds, and rice paddies.
How to spot
Look for its small size, dark body, green bill with a red frontal shield, and yellowish legs. It often forages at the edge of dense vegetation. Listen for its calls, which include a series of dry 'kek-kek' notes or a soft churring.
When to spot
Year-round resident. Most active at dawn and dusk, but also seen during the day.
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
Unlike some larger moorhens, the Lesser Moorhen tends to be more secretive, preferring denser vegetation and often disappearing quickly at the first sign of disturbance.
We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Essential cookies are necessary for basic functionality, while analytical cookies help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it.
Cookie Preferences
Customize your privacy settings
Choose which cookies you want to allow. Necessary cookies are always enabled for the basic functionality of the website. You can always change your preferences later via the cookie settings in the footer.
Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled.
Analytics Cookies
Help us understand how visitors use our website, so we can improve it.