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Northern moorhens (formerly called common gallinules) are relatives of rails with overall dull colors but brilliant waxy-red bills and frontal shields. They can be found in reedy marshes and ponds across much of North America. These were near Tampa Bay, Florida (top) and at the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area near Riverside, California (below). The upper pictures show resting adults, and the images below show an adult moorhen leading two young chicks, and a close-up of a single chick (they are swimming in a pond full of duckweed). The bright orange and blue facial skin on the young birds (similar to that of young American coots) is thought to be a signal of health and strength to the parents. |
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