Moorhen Gallinula Research Articles

Waterbird community changes in the Wilderness Lakes, South Africa (Part 1 of 3): Herbivores and omnivores

Global and regional degradation and loss of aquatic systems can negatively affect wetland-dependent waterbirds. The Wilderness Lakes Complex in South Africa, which incorporates the Wilderness Ramsar site, supports populations of 68 waterbird species including eight which periodically occur in globally significant (1% population) numbers. The study aimed to document long-term spatial and temporal (including seasonal) patterns of abundance of herbivorous waterbirds in the Wilderness Lakes Complex, and where possible identify potential causes for observed trends. The abundance of waterbirds on these wetlands was determined biannually from 1992 to 2019, with counts conducted from a boat following a standardised route. Historical abundance data from the 1980s was also used to describe long-term abundance changes. Observed seasonality of four herbivorous waterbirds differed from published accounts. Long-term abundance trends indicated a combination of declining, increasing and stable populations which, in several instances, differed from regional (southern African) assessments. Significant long-term decreases have occurred in five herbivorous species in the lakes complex (Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus, Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata, Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata, Cape Shoveler Anas smithii, Cape Teal Anas capensis), whereas increases have occurred in two species (Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis, Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca). Similar types of change occurred across multiple waterbodies, and in different seasons. The similarity of trends in spatially separated wetlands suggested either high interconnectivity of populations between wetland systems and/or some drivers of change of mobile species being broad scaled and regional, rather than system specific. Local reasons for changes potentially include increasing extent of cultivated fields, a proliferation of emergent macrophytes and loss of open sandbanks, changing food availability, increasing disturbance, and disease.Conservation implications: The fundamental character of the Wilderness Ramsar site has changed, with reduced abundance of several previously abundant herbivorous waterbirds. Drivers of change in species abundances are multifaceted, complex, and frequently poorly understood. Recommended local corrective actions include the management of emergent macrophytes, avian diseases, disturbance, and water quality.

The provenance of the only known egg of the extinct Tristan Moorhen Gallinula nesiotis

The provenance of the only known egg of the extinct Tristan Moorhen Gallinula nesiotis

Checklist of Gruiform birds (Order Gruiformes) in Iraq

A total of six genus and eight species that belong to three family Gruidae, Otidae and Rallidae, Order Gruiforms; about 39specimens which are deposited in the birds collection of in the Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum INHM were reviewed. In the current study, morphometrics of seven species of taxidermy Gruiform birds: Common CraneGrus grus (Linnaeus, 1758), Houbara BustardChlamydotis undulata (Jacquin, 1784), Water Rail Rallus aquaticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Spotted Crake Porzana porzana (Linnaeus, 1766), Little Crake Porzana parva (Scopoli, 1769), Coot Fulica atra (Linnaeus, 1758), Common Moorhens Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Purpul GallinulePorphyrio poliocephalus (Latham, 1801) were documented. In addition of the distribution ranges throughout Iraq and Global Conservation Status of each the mentioned species were reviewed and comprehensively discussed.

Diet of the introduced Gough Moorhen Gallinula comeri on Tristan da Cunha

Gough Moorhens Gallinula comeri were introduced to Tristan da Cunha in the 1950s, and are now numerous in lowland habitat, filling the ecological niche of the extinct Tristan Moorhen G. nesiotis. On their native Gough Island, moorhens have a varied diet, ranging from vegetation and fruits to scavenging and even predatory behaviour. Here, we examined the stomach contents of four birds on Tristan da Cunha to provide insight into their diet. Moorhens mostly ate vegetation, but we also recorded spiders (Arthropoda: Aranea), earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae), remains of introduced rodents (Mus musculus), and anthropogenic debris. As on Gough Island, moorhens on Tristan have a generalist diet, and the impact of ecosystem restoration (and of the moorhens themselves) should be considered.

Influence of breeding time, nest size, and egg size on the breeding success of the Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

We investigated the relationships between the breeding success of the Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and its breeding time, nest size, and egg size in a man-made wetland (Ab-bandan) during the 2008 breeding season in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. For each nest, the date of the first laid egg, the first hatching, and the first fledgling was recorded as well as the clutch size. Nest characteristics (height, depth, diameter, and water level underneath) and egg characteristics (shape index and weight) were measured. The first egg was laid on June 15 and the last chick left the nest on August 30. From 251 eggs in 27 nests, 229 eggs hatched (91.2%) and 204 chicks left the nest (Mean breeding success = 81.3%). A GLM revealed that egg weight negatively affected breeding success (P = 0.024) meaning heavier eggs were less likely to produce fledglings. The specific underlying physiological mechanisms require further investigation.

Close to the Madding Crowd: Waterbird Responses to Land Use Conversion in and Around a Mediterranean Urban Wetland

Investigating how Mediterranean wetlands respond to adjacent land use conversion, is an important first step in mitigating the impact of human encroachment and other environmental stressors. We monitored the composition and structure of waterbird assemblages, in a Mediterranean urban marsh, subjected to severe anthropogenic pressures. Remote sensing indicated that in the last two decades Boussedra Pond was subjected to landfill, resulting in a substantial reduction (~ 50 %) of the marsh, while due to a lack of urban planning urban built-up and agriculture areas expanded considerably in its surroundings. This precipitous reduction of the size of this urban pond threatens the diversity of its resident waterbirds which include the globally Endangered (EN) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala, the Near-Threatened (NT) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and many other staging and wintering migratory species. The long-term study suggested that breeding waterbirds species responded differentially to the loss and degradation of the marsh, as highlighted by the apparent resilience of the synanthropic Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and the disappearance of several breeding marsh specialists, such as the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus and the Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. The study also points out the need for both a coordinated cross-sectorial land use planning and an immediate, affordable and sustainable wetland conservation action.

The distribution and diversity of chewing lice (Phthiraptera) on the Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus in Algeria

ABSTRACT Capsule The distribution and prevalence of chewing lice found on Common Moorhens Gallinula chloropus varied between seasons and peaked during the winter. There was also significant variation in how lice were distributed around the body regions of the hosts. Aims To identify the species of lice found on the Common Moorhen, evaluate the seasonal variation in their intensity of infestation and determine spatial distribution on the hosts. Methods Eighty-six Common Moorhens were captured, examined for lice, and released from December 2018 to February 2020 at Lake Tonga, Algeria. Lice were extracted, preserved in 70% ethanol, cleared, and mounted in Canada balsam for identification. The population mean intensity and prevalence of lice species were calculated for each season. Data were inspected using descriptive statistical tools, such as principal component analysis, to explore spatial dispersion on the body regions of the hosts. Results Five louse species were identified: Pseudomenopon pilosum, Rallicola minutus, Laemobothrion chloropodis, Fulicoffula sp, and Incidifrons gallinulae, with percentages of prevalence of 79.07%, 70.93%, 56.98%, 40.70%, and 23.26%, respectively. Their prevalence varied significantly across months, with a peak in the winter. Louse species were non-randomly distributed across the body regions of the hosts. Conclusion This study documents the distribution and diversity of chewing lice on the Common Moorhen for the first time in Algeria and establishes a baseline dataset for further monitoring studies.

Population size and trend, and habitat selection of Common Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) in Oslo and Akershus, southeastern Norway

Cover photo: Common Moorhen. Photo: Arild Breistøl.
 The Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus is listed as vulnerable (VU) in Norway due to a small population size (estimated at 110–215 pairs in 2015). The population size is considered stable. More than one quarter of the population (30–70 pairs) is thought to occur in the region of Oslo and Akershus, SE Norway. In 2018, I conducted a comprehensive survey of known and potential breeding sites to assess current population size in Oslo and Akershus. I recorded 74 pairs in 58 sites. To analyse the population trend, I collected all known records of Common Moorhen during the breeding season for the period 1995–2018. Analyses indicated that population size was stable overall. However, compared to data from 1982, sites with the largest number of pairs in 1982 have had declining population size, and these sites also had high nutrient levels. On the other hand, several new breeding sites in recently created ponds in parks, on golf courses and wastewater treatment plants have been established. Dammed ponds were occupied more often than natural waterbodies, and occupied sites were in general at nutrient-rich sites at low elevation close to the coast. Occupancy rate (proportion of years surveyed with Common Moorhen presence) during 1995–2018 was higher for dammed ponds than for natural waterbodies, and higher for smaller wetlands. Thus, analyses suggested that the most suitable sites for Common Moorhen were nutrient-rich small ponds at low elevation close to the coast, and in such sites the Common Moorhen appears to have a stable, but small population size.

Habitat selection of Coot (Fulica atra) and Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) in a remnant Mediterranean wetland (Italy): Implications for conservation

AbstractThe habitat selection of two abundant and widespread Palearctic rallids (Coot Fulica atra; Moorhen Gallinula chloropus) across a range of wetland types was investigated. The distribution of these two species varied according to water depth, as implied by the dominant vegetation present in the study area. Coots most frequently used wet dune slacks dominated by Phragmites australis, whereas Moorhens were mostly present in anthropized ecotones. It is hypothesized that because these two rallid species respond differently to various environmental pressures, they could be used as useful indicators for biomonitoring remnant wetlands. Indeed, they are relatively generalist, common, widespread and medium‐sized species, relatively easy to detect and exhibit a high sensitivity to specific water‐related habitat types, also at a small‐scaled spatial resolution.

Differences in eggshell pigmentation pattern between Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and Eurasian Coot Fulica atra eggs

Abstract Facultative avian brood parasites increase their reproductive output by laying eggs in the nests of conspecifics or closely related species. The Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus is a well-known facultative brood parasite that nests in wetlands, which are utilised also by a wide range of waterfowl, including the Eurasian Coot Fulica atra. The two species breed in similar habitats and have a similar egg pigmentation pattern; thus, the Coot can be a suitable host of brood-parasitic Moorhen. To study whether there is any discernible difference between the spotting pattern of Coot and Moorhen eggs, we compared the density of different sized spots on eggs of the two species. Our results show that Coot eggs have a significantly higher density of small speckles then Moorhen eggs, while the latter species has eggs with more conspicuous larger spots. Therefore, Coots can possibly rely on these differences in eggshell pattern to recognize and eject the brood parasitic Moorhen eggs.

Winter diet and lead poisoning risk of Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga in southeast Spain

ABSTRACT Capsule: Diet analysis revealed high lead exposure for Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga wintering in southeast Spain. Aims: To describe the diet composition of the endangered Greater Spotted Eagle in a wintering area located in southeast Spain, and determine lead ammunition exposure through analysis of regurgitated pellets and prey remains. Methods: Between 2008 and 2018, a total of 26 pellets, 29 prey remains and 10 direct predation observations were collected in El Hondo Natural Park, Spain. All the pellets and 10 prey remains were analysed with X-ray in order to detect metal from ammunition. Results: Greater Spotted Eagles fed mainly on birds, with 18 different species accounting for 73.1% of prey items and 66.1% of biomass consumed. The most frequent species identified were Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (23.1%), rats Rattus spp. (15.4%) and Common Teal Anas crecca (8.9%). Ammunition was detected in 42.3% of regurgitated pellets and in 40.0% of prey remains analysed. Of those containing ammunition, lead shot was found in 63.9% of pellets and 25.0% of prey remains. Conclusion: High lead shot presence in pellets and prey remains of wintering Greater Spotted Eagles in southeast Spain warns of a high risk of lead poisoning. Factors such as feeding behaviour, the large space–time overlap between the raptor presence and the waterbird hunting season and non-compliance with the ban on the use of lead ammunition are likely contributing to high lead exposure.

Report of Paradilepis Sp. (Cestoda) and Proximate Composition of Tilapia guineensis from Rumuola Borrow Pit, Port Harcourt- Nigeria

Paradilepis sp. has been poorly reported in fishes of Nigeria. This may be due to sparse distribution or difficulty with its identification. Here, we present a report of the species in Tilapia guineensis from Rumuola borrow pit, Port Harcourt-Nigeria. We also report recovery of the metacestodes from the African Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus meridionalis). Fish species were harvested with fishing nets from the borrow pit and examined for parasites using standard procedures. The proximate composition of fish tissues and water quality assessment were done following standard protocols. Fish specimens were of mean total length, wet body weight and condition factor of 17.3±2.4cm, 109.3±2.4g and 2.0±0.2, respectively. Paradilepis sp. was recovered at a prevalence of 52%, and intensity of 4-90 parasites per infected host. Cysticercoids were detached from the intestinal wall of T. guineensis while metacestodes were recovered from the intestine of G. c. meridionalis. Proximate composition of T. guineensis from Rumuola borrow pit showed the fish had moisture content of 72.2%, crude protein 19.88% and carbohydrate 2.32%. The crude ash, fat and fibre contents were 1.64%, 2.69% and 1.27%, respectively. Results of the water quality analysis showed that heavy metals (Pb [0.05mg/L] and Fe [0.44mg/L]), organic matter (0.41mg/L), and total suspended solids (68.0mg/L) were above the permissible limits of 0.01mg/L, 0.30mg/L, 0.01mg/L and 30mg/L, respectively. It is recommended that piscivorous birds from Port Harcourt be examined for the possible recovery of adult Paradilepis sp. in order to complete its life cycle. The study concluded that residents of Rumuola should desist from indiscriminate disposal of household and other wastes into the borrow pit, and avoid consuming fish harvested from the pit to prevent metal poisoning.

Some chewing lice (Phthiraptera) species as ectoparasites infested aquatic birds with a new record of three species from Al-Sanaf marsh/ southern Iraq

The present study was carried out to determine additional chewing lice of aquatic birds and additional data on the prevalence of chewing lice in aquatic birds found on the Southern marshes of Iraq. Sixty-nine of different species of aquatic birds were randomly collected and examined for chewing lice in Al-Sanaf marsh, which is located in Thi-Qar province / Southern Iraq, between October 2016 and February 2017, the lice placed in tubes containing 70% ethanol after that they cleared, mounted and identified according to morphological features. Twenty-five (36.23%) out of 69 aquatic birds were infested with chewing lice, a total of six lice species were identified from birds in the current study included Piagetiella titan and Pectinopygus forficulatus infested White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus, Actornithophilus piceus lari infested Slender-billed Gull Larus geni, Actornithophilus himantopi infested Black-Winged stilt Himantopus himantopus, Rallicola fulicae isolated from coot Fulica atra and Rallicola parani infested moorhen Gallinula chloropus. Three lice species: Pectinopygus forficulatus, Rallicola fulicae and Rallicola parani were recorded in current study for the first time in Iraq. We need further investigations of Phthiraptera fauna are very important, not only to complete the list, but also to provide information about parasite-host vector relationships and phylogenetic relation among species.

Copulation, interspecific aggression and other observed behaviours in a breeding pair of Australian Eurasian Coots Fulica atra australis on a small urban wetland

A solitary breeding pair of Australian Eurasian Coots Fulica atra australis on a small wetland in Sydney, New South Wales, was monitored during the 2015–2016 breeding season. Three breeding attempts were observed, during which two nest-platforms were built. Adults incubated eggs for 20–35 minutes at a time. Our monitoring recorded two observations of copulation and 58 observations of aggression towards a conspecific or other waterbird species. Aggression events most frequently involved lone or multiple Dusky Moorhens Gallinula tenebrosa . Of five chicks recorded in one breeding attempt, only one survived >5 months.

Systematics, morphology and ecology of rails (Aves: Rallidae) of the Mascarene Islands, with one new species.

Five species in five genera of extinct endemic rails have been described from the Mascarene Islands of Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues: the Mauritian Red Rail or Poule Rouge Aphanapteryx bonasia; Mascarene Coot or Poule d'eau Fulica newtonii; which occurred on Mauritius and Réunion; Réunion Wood Rail Dryolimnas augusti; Réunion Gallinule or Oiseaux bleu 'Porphyrio caerulescens'; and Rodrigues or Leguat's Rail Erythromachus leguati. All are known from fossil remains and/or from contemporary accounts and illustrations. A sixth species of rail Dryolimnas sp. nov. is described herein from fossils from Mauritius, but was not unequivocally previously reported in the contemporary literature. This paper provides an analysis of the Rallidae of the Mascarene Islands based on existing and newly discovered fossil remains, and details historical reports and accounts. Comprehensive osteological descriptions and synonymies are also included. Their ecology and extinction chronologies are interpreted from historical ev-idence. The relationships of Aphanapteryx and Erythromachus are unresolved, having clearly been isolated for a considerable time; the middle Miocene is the earliest their ancestors could have arrived on the Mascarenes, but this may have happened more recently. Mascarene derivatives of Fulica, Porphyrio and Dryolimnas are of much more recent origin, and appear to have originated in Africa or Madagascar. All terrestrial rails on Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues, were probable victims of cat predation following their historic introduction to the islands, whereas over-hunting by humans was probably the primary cause of extinction of 'Porphyrio caerulescens' on Réunion. The only extant rail on the Mascarenes today, the Madagascar race of Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus pyrrhorrhoa, is a recent arrival, having colonised Mauritius and Réunion after the extinction of Fulica newtonii.

Birds trapped in telephone wiring system

[Six cases of birds trapped in telephone wires or in structures connected to telephone wires were signaled in the areas of Turin and Novara (Piedmont, N. W. Italy). The birds stayed hanging fatally either by chance or during a trophic activity. The species involved in the described episodes are five, but become eight when added to the ones subjects of previous signaling: Little bitten Ixobrychus minutus, Grey heron Ardea cinerea, Moorhen Gallinula chloropus, Barn owl Tyto alba, Little owl Athene noctua, Robin Erithacus rubecula, Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Hooded crow Corvus corone cornix.]
 [Article in Italian]

Gene flow from multiple sources maintains high genetic diversity and stable population history of Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus in China

In this study, we used mitochondrial control sequences and microsatellite data from 231 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus individuals sampled from 19 sites in China to analyse their genetic structure and evolutionary history. High genetic diversity was found for all populations, although microsatellite analysis showed that the genetic diversity in non‐migratory populations was significantly higher than in migratory populations. High gene flow occurred between neighbouring populations, although long‐distance gene flow also occurred. The Huazhong population was the single greatest genetic source for other populations. High gene flow probably led to the shallow genetic structure that we observed. Demographic expansion was found in migratory populations, non‐migratory populations and with all individuals combined. The expansion time for all populations combined was estimated to be 221 000 years ago. The Common Moorhen population grew rapidly during the interglacial before the last glacial maximum (LGM), then remained generally stable from the LGM to the present.

The Response of Water Rails (Rallus aquaticus) To the Playback of Conspecific and Heterospecific Calls

ABSTRACT We studied the response of Water Rails (Rallus aquaticus) to conspecific and heterospecific playback to reveal any variation in reaction to playbacks of rail and crake and if and how these reactions change in intensity. Ten observation points, 100 m from each other within a reedbed, were selected. We made our observations three times a day over three days in three sessions (Apr, Jun, and Sept). We quantified the response of Water Rails to the playback of conspecifics and the heterospecifics: Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), Corn Crake (Crex crex), Little Crake (Porzana parva), Spotted Crake (P. porzana), and Baillon's Crake (P. pusilla), in terms of phenological periods. We found that there is a difference in aggressive reaction between conspecific and heterospecific playbacks across all sessions and also within each session. The aggressive reaction decreases significantly in the direction (Water Rail = Common Moorhen) > (Corn Crake = Little Crake = Spotted Crake) > (Baillon's Crake), during...

Purple Swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio and Dusky Moorhens Gallinula tenebrosa climbing trees and feeding on lerps

During an outbreak of the lerp-forming insect Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) on River Red Gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis near Adelaide, South Australia, Purple Swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio and Dusky Moorhens Gallinula tenebrosa climbed trees to feed on lerps. The Swamphens climbed up to 8 m above groundor water-level, the Moorhens up to 4 m. The Swamphens usually obtained lerps in situ by pecking or by drawing leaves through the bill. Sometimes an individual detached a branch and flew with it to the ground to feed there. The Moorhens took lerps only by pecking in situ.

A new genus for the Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850 (Aves, Rallidae)

Molecular phylogenetic analysis has demonstrated that the genus Gallinula is not monophyletic and comprises four major lineages. A review of the nomenclature of Gallinula shows that generic names are available for three lineages but that a fourth is as yet unnamed. A new monotypic genus, Paragallinula gen. nov., is described for Lesser Moorhen (Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850).