 |
Although quite common in the Imperial Valley,
Moorhens are more wary of people than its less colorful cousin the Common
Coot.
They are very secretive and you will likely hear it rather then see it in our local marshes. Their jungle-like cry reminds me of the soundtrack for a "Tarzan" movie. You can almost always see one or two in the
drainage ditch at the Pioneers Park Museum across Aten Road at the IVC
campus.
|
If you are interested in learning more about this bird online - I recommend you start with the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.htmlThey present photographs, songs, identification tips, maps, and life history information for North American birds - including the Common Moorhen
OTHER OUTSIDE LINKS FOR THIS BIRD:
Common Moorhen Stamps - This links you to the "Birds of the World on Postage Stamps" site by Chris Gibbins. Many images are depicted on stamps from around the world.
Common Moorhen in Connecticut - Illustration and facts about the status of the Common Moorhen displayed by the "Wildlife in Connecticut: Endangered and Threatened Species Series" Web site.
The following "WAV" format sound file is copyright protected by Doug Van Gausig of Sedona, Arizona, as part of the "Sounds of Nature" Web site:
- http://www.naturesongs.com/moorhen2.wav - Common Moorhen's swamp song
This site is maintained by:
Eldon R. Caldwell
Imperial Valley College
Email: eldonc@imperial.cc.ca.us