Common moorhen

Description:

Wikipedia says moorhens are sometimes called 'rats on stilts'. Personally I think they look like small chickens on stilts.. Moorhens are part of the rail (Rallidae) family. They can be recognised by their long un-proportionally long yellow legs. Their toes are semi-webbed, allowing them to stand and forage for food on highly uneven surfaces (I've spotted them standing on large waterlily leaves). Moorhens have black bodies, with white bands on the front of the wings and tail. They will display the white tail feathers by flicking them up repeatedly if they are distressed. Their beaks are red with a yellow tip at the end.

Habitat:

Freshwater areas, lakes and ponds.