Indian Moorhen [Gallinula chloropus]

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Flora & Fauna

The Indian Moorhen is also known as the Common Moorhen. It has a black/dark brown plumage and a white undertail. It has a red bill with a yellow tip. The legs are slightly long and toes are large. The toes are yellow in colour. The bird is found in marshy areas and feeds on plant matter such as algae, moss, shoots and so on. The Indian Moorhen is also known to feed on small fish, invertebrates, aquatic insects, and so on. According to Ali and Ripley the Indian Moorhen “spends most of its time on the water, paddling about amongst the lily pads and other floating vegetation.”

Collection:

Nature Collection

Album Name:

Sathasivam collection - Birds

Photograph ID:

001/0387/0011

Album ID:

0387

Photographers:

Kumaran and Ramila Sathasivam are keen naturalists and photographers. Their photographs have appeared in a number of publications, including Blackbuck, the journal of the Madras Naturalists' Society. Kumaran Sathasivam is a 1980s' IIT Madras alumnus. His book A Forest in the City is about his natural history experiences during his student days.