Dusky Moorhen vs African Rail

Gallinula tenebrosa compared with Rallus caerulescens

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Dusky Moorhen African Rail
Scientific Name Gallinula tenebrosa Rallus caerulescens
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 39.4 cm (15.5 in) 23.8 cm (9.4 in)
Weight 540.0 g (19.05 oz) 160.25 g (5.65 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 5-18 2-6
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Dusky Moorhen only

African Rail only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Dusky Moorhen

Least Concern

African Rail

About These Birds

Dusky Moorhen

Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) is a 35–40 cm moorhen of Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia's freshwater wetlands. Dark slaty-grey with brown back, red frontal shield, and yellow-tipped red bill. Common on lakes, rivers, and park ponds. Walks along shorelines and swims freely. Feeds on aquatic plants, invertebrates, and seeds.

African Rail

African Rail (Rallus caerulescens), 28 cm. Brown above with dark streaks; blue-grey underparts; barred white flanks; red bill and legs. Found in freshwater reedbeds and swamp margins across sub-Saharan Africa. Omnivore. Least Concern; common in wetland habitat.

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