Gallinula chloropus                                             Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

The common moorhen breeds in lakes and ponds throughout Florida. Wherever there are cattails or other dense vegetation along the shoreline, even in city ponds and canals, you will usually find a pair of moorhens.  Adults have a yellow-tipped red bill and a conspicuous red frontal shield.  They are often seen swimming in open water.  They are noisy birds, with a loud, varied repertoire of cackling, clucking calls.

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