PORT PHILLIP BAY


Dusky Moorhen 

Gallinula tenebrosa

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Gruiformes
Family:
Rallidae
Genus:
Gallinula
Species:
tenebrosa

General Description

Body dark grey to black with head and underparts paler grey. Forehead red, and bill red with a yellow tip. Legs green-grey to green-red. Body up to 40 cm long.

Biology

Dusky Moorhens call with a trumpet-like tone. They eat various food items, including weed and molluscs.

Habitat

Mainly wetland areas.

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Eastern Australia.

Species Group

Birds Coots, rails and swamphens

Max Size

40 cm

Diet

Omnivore

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Least Concern

Author

article author Longmore, N. W.

Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author O'Brien, R.

Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Dusky Moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 10 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7922

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