moorhen

Marsh bird belonging to the rail family, common in swamps, lakes, and ponds throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. It is about 33 cm/13 in long, brown above and dark grey below, with a red bill and forehead, a white stripe along the edge of the folded wings, a vivid white underside to the tail, and green legs. Its big feet are not webbed or lobed, but the moorhen can swim well. The nest is built by the waterside, and the eggs are buff-coloured with orange-brown spots. (Species Gallinula chloropus, family Rallidae, order Gruiformes.)