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Waterhen, White-breasted

  


Name: Waterhen, White-breasted

Scientific name: Amaurornis phoenicurus

Type: Hen

Color: Grey,White

Habitat: Water

Size: 32cm




Conservation status:

Vagrant


Description:

Slightly smaller and slimmer than Moorhen with longer neck and bill. Distinctive slaty brown and white, with rufous-chestnut vent and undertail-coverts, and yellowish green bill and feet; in breeding season reddish base to upper mandible; the crimson eye set in white face is very conspicuous. Juvenile has white face obscured by slate-brown. Skulking but sometimes easy to see in open, walking with jerking tail and displaying undertail-coverts. Flight with dangling legs like other rails. Occasionally swims.