What is the difference between the Common Moorhen and the Dusky Moorhen?
The Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) and the Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) are both medium-sized wetland birds from the Rail family.
The Common Moorhen has yellow legs. The Dusky Moorhen has orange-yellow legs.
Common Moorhen (left) and Dusky Moorhen (right)
The Common Moorhen has a white line across its side, called the flank line. The Dusky Moorhen does not have a white flank line. However, they both have white undertail feathers.
The Common Moorhen is from Europe and the Dusky Moorhen is native to India, Australia, New Guinea, Borneo, and Indonesia.
Common Moorhen
Dusky Moorhen
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM