There are crows here that look similar to the ones we have at home, and I was photographing some on the shore of the river while the tide was out. I saw one pop into the river and start swimming, and I thought it was strange that a crow was swimming because I have never heard of one do that. I popped it into my favourite bird ID app, Merlin ID, and it gave me an unexpected ID: the moorhen. I've seen it a few times now, and I definitely agree with that assessment, especially given its movements, its head bobbing forward and back like chickens do. What I love about this bird is that it's a relative of the American coot, which is really common in ponds and lakes back home. They're kind of awkward birds, small and kind of odd looking with beaks that ride up their forehead a bit, and a red dot on the top of it that almost looks like a scary third eye. The moorhen is very similar, only that it has a more colourful beak. they also have the same, plant-like, feet that look much to big for them, and babies that look like rambutan fruits.
These birds can be quite vicious defending their territory, but I imagine it's not breeding season, so I just see this one floating around--or floating on a plank to save energy, apparently.
Comments