Finding a Lesser Moorhen at a newly formed pan of water in the Eastern Shores section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park was a real highlight of my most recent visit to the “Place of Miracles and Wonders”, as it brings me to 609 species of birds seen in South Africa.

Lesser Moorhen

Lesser Moorhen

Lesser Moorhen

Lesser Moorhen

Lesser Moorhen

Lesser Moorhen

Lesser Moorhen

Paragallinula (Gallinula) angulata

The Lesser Moorhen inhabits freshwater wetlands ranging from periodically flooded grasslands to permanent swamps and marshes, showing a strong preference for areas densely covered by emergent vegetation and limited open water. They’re omnivores, feeding on water plants and aquatic invertebrates.

Lesser Moorhens start breeding after the first floods, building their cup-shaped grass nests on a platform of flattened living grass, reeds or sedges. The female is responsible for most of the incubation duties, with the clutch of up to nine eggs (though about 6 is more usual) hatching after about 3 weeks. The chicks start flying at about 5 weeks of age, but remain with their parents up to about 2 months old. Fully grown they’ll weigh about 135g and measure approximately 23cm in length. Lesser Moorhens are very shy and seldom venture into the open.

The IUCN lists the Lesser Moorhen as being of least concern. It is found in suitable habitat over most of sub-Saharan Africa, though locally their populations fluctuate widely according to the quality of early rainfall and they’re usually only present in small numbers in Gauteng, parts of the Limpopo Highveld, the Lowveld and northern Kwazulu-Natal from November to May, migrating back to central Africa at the onset of winter (though a handful may remain throughout the year).

(Remember that DeWetsWild will gladly assist you with reservations and guided tours of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park if you’d like to visit this wonderful place as well.)