Common Moorhen – Juveniles watching a passerbyGallinula chloropus July – Texas L=14” ...... WS=21”...... WT=11 oz Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies) Family: Rallifae (Rails, Gallinules and Coots) Common Moorhens have large feet and very long toes allowing them to walk on floating plants and very soft soil on shorelines and in marshes. Even though their feet lack lobes or webs they swim well. They nest near emergent vegetation close to relatively open water. The young lack the bright colors of the mature bird and typically stay close to the parent and the nest while learning to forage.
Northern Pintail – DivingAnus acuta January – New Mexico L=21-25” ...... WS=35” ...... WT=1.8 lb Order: Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese and Swans) Family: Anatidae (Ducks, Geese and Swans) Northern Pintails medium sized dabbling ducks. They are early fall migrants and one of the earliest nesting ducks in the spring. As they favor shallow wetlands and flooded agricultural fields. Consequently, farming operations destroy many nests and habitats annually. Populations of Northern Pintails have been reduced by half over the last 40 years. Since the 1990’s conservation measures have led to renewed hope that populations will cease declining and may recover.
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