Over the past several weeks we’ve been fortunate to watch the resident pair of Common Moorhen raise their chick at the little pond in the centre of our local Moreletakloof Nature Reserve.
We first noticed the parent pair with more regularity in late August, with the onset of warmer spring weather. Soon after, we had our first glimpse of the chick and since have returned to visit as regularly as we could – the dam always featuring on our hike at some point and usually we’re lucky to get at least a glimpse of the chick. The rate at which it has has grown is absolutely astounding and it will soon be independent of its parents.
Common Moorhen parent
Common Moorhen parent
Common Moorhen parent
Common Moorhen parent
Common Moorhen chick on 4 September 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 4 September 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 4 September 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 10 September 2020 being fed by one of its parents
Common Moorhen chick on 10 September 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 10 September 2020 being fed by one of its parents
Common Moorhen chick on 10 September 2020 being fed by one of its parents
Common Moorhen chick on 24 September 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 24 September 2020 being fed by one of its parents
Common Moorhen chick on 24 September 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 24 September 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 15 October 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 15 October 2020
Common Moorhen chick on 15 October 2020
DeWetsWild 
That cute little chick looks like teenager already. The parents are obviously doing something right. Lovely photos, Dries.
And I think like all parents of teenagers they probably wonder where all their food is vanishing to! 😀
About a month ago I witnessed ‘three generations’ of Purple Gallinules mob one small ‘Common Gallinule’ (just like your Moorhen) — the little black baby broke away three times but eventually a juvenile caught it for the final time. They tore it into pieces, which made those beautiful birds not quite so beautiful any more…
I will study our photos to see if there are any differences between your moorhen and the common gallinule. I know that one book says that they are often called moorhens here in the americas, but that’s wrong… hmmm, sometimes science can be ‘so’ precise!
What a gruesome, if rare, glimpse into what normally goes on behind the scenes in the gallinule-moorhen world, Lisa!
Great picture of “Bigfoot”. 🙂 We have the birds here as well and I like it. 😀
PS. I finally could figure out how to login to my account! 😀
Wonderful to see you here again, John!
Indeed, the Moorhen seems to be a familiar favourite for birdlovers all over the world.
Hello Dries,
What a treat it is, the view the cycle of the Moorhen chick growing up! We wish for it a long and happy life 🙂
Hi Takami – nice to hear from you again! Hope you are well?
Hello friend, thank you so much for your kind words! Yes, hubby and I are staying safe and well, and we do hope it is the same for you and your beautiful family 🙂
Thank you Takami, we’re all doing fine too.
What a heartwarming series recording the little one’s parental care and successful growing up.
We’re grateful to have had a little glimpse!
Great discovery! I have come to appreciate it when a pair of robins nest near our house and we can keep an eye on the new generation as it grows.
It’s astounding how quickly those baby birds grow, isn’t it, John!?
Indeed!
What a privilege to witness this! Beautiful photographs allow us to share in the excitement of growing up. Thank you.
That’s very kind of you, thank you Anne!
Kosbaar om te sien hoe die outjie groei en oorleef. Hier is dit klein eendjies tyd. Die meeste oorleef nie want eende is mos vreemde kinder grootmakers. Hul het geen idee van om kleintjies veilig te hou nie. Dan is hul nog in bewoonde gebied waar enige viervoetige dier hul kan vang. Selfs die meeue sal die eendjies vang as hul kans kry.
Gelukkig het hulle kinders by dosyne! Sonder grappies – dis n jammerte dat ons woonbuurte so gevaarlik is vir natuurlewe.
Die eende tannie het op oomblik blykbaar 5 ma-eende met kleintjies in haar agterplaas. Ding is die eende is ook maar hardkoppig. As hul wil uit wil hul uit en dis waar hul dan gevang word.
What a delightful glimpse into their lives, Dries.
Most definitely, Tracy. And nice to have them go about their business as if we aren’t even there.
What fun!
janet
Absolutely Janet!
We have them in USA too. They are in marshes swimming around. Thanks, D. 🙂
They’re quite the world citizens, aren’t they H.J!?
Such a cute, fuzzy little one that had quite the growth spurt this month! What a treat to be able to watch this one grow.
I’m grateful my own kid isn’t growing up this fast, Lois!
Sjoe, die outjie het soos ‘n koolkop gegroei!
Is dit nie ongelooflik nie, tannie Frannie!?