Do moorhens kill other chicks (1 Viewer)

[pete_inthehills]

Hi

One of our local farmer friends told me that moorhen mothers are very aggressive towards other birds and chicks near their pond.

We've had a nesting moor hen on our pond, is it likely that they'll have tried to drive away the ducks and pheasants that nest close by and kill their chicks.

I've never noticed them being that aggressive, is that he said true?

pete
inthehills

 

[delia todd]

Hi Pete and welcome to Bird Forum from the Staff and Moderators.

I've not noticed behaviour like that on my patch where I have Moorhen, Dabchicks and Mallards, all breeding. That's not to say it doesn't happen though... someone else will be along with some tales I'm sure.

Keep an eye on the Scottish Bash Discussion Thread we try and arrange a few meetings through the year and you'd be most welcome to join us if you can manage.

The next one is in Aberdeen and the details can be found here

D

 

[alan_rymer]

Hi

One of our local farmer friends told me that moorhen mothers are very aggressive towards other birds and chicks near their pond.

We've had a nesting moor hen on our pond, is it likely that they'll have tried to drive away the ducks and pheasants that nest close by and kill their chicks.

I've never noticed them being that aggressive, is that he said true?

pete
inthehills

I've seen a Moorhen kill a Sedge Warbler fledgling that didn't make it across a shallow water/muddy area of a scrape.
They'll also chase off any wader that lands too! but curiously, Ive not seen them chase off Snipe!

 

[lulie]

Moorhens are known to be aggressive birds and I am sure they have been documented killing other chicks, indeed they will kill some of their own chicks in times of food shortage. I have seen adult moorhen attacking mute swans who swam too close to their nests but I have also seen around 6 pairs of moorhen nesting in a marina alongside about 12 great crested grebe nests. Each seemed to have taken up residence along side a different moored boat (or on it in some cases) about 2 meters apart. There was no obvious aggression between any of the nests.

 

[Farnboro John]

On the bright side Grey Herons eat Moorhen chicks so they don't have it all their own way. I once watched a heron trying to down a full grown Moorhen. It ultimately failed after half an hour of trying, but by then the Moorhen was dead having spent much of the time with its head down the heron's throat and its feet flopping at the sides of its gape.

John

 

[KLH]

Moorhens apparently will drown another chick by grabbing it by the neck and shaking it violently, shoving it underwater in the process. Coots behave similarly towards particular greedy chicks! Our local moorhens have had many broods this year, usually there are around 5 chicks, but a few days later there are only one or two running about. I've often blamed the squirrels, as they can get onto islands from overhanging branches, but not certain.

 

[matthall]

i have heard of such tales of moorhens and coots eating chicks of others and their own chicks.

 

[KnockerNorton]

Coots and Moorhens habitually kill their own chicks - nobody know why they do this, but they will whittle their own brood down to a couple after a few days. An average clutch is 6-8 eggs for each, but when was the last time you saw a Coot/Moorhen with 6-8 well-grown young (or even 4)?

They will kill other birds/chicks that don't get out of their way, but they're not too much of a threat as they don't seek out other birds to kill, e.g. pheasant chicks. It's just kind of 'accidental'. Ducklings etc can usually get out of the way pretty sharpish - you're in much more danger from a Moorhen if you're a Moorhen chick!

 

[matthall]

but moorhen chicks can run very fast. i saw a moorhen chick running very fast to get away from 2 black headed gulls.

 

[Farnboro John]

Coots and Moorhens habitually kill their own chicks - nobody know why they do this, but they will whittle their own brood down to a couple after a few days.

Having walked past a school where the kids were coming out recently I find it perfectly understandable except that they leave a couple.

John

 

[KLH]

but moorhen chicks can run very fast. i saw a moorhen chick running very fast to get away from 2 black headed gulls.

They can run very fast towards you as well!! Especially if you are standing next to the pond eating a croissant!! Considering the size of their feet they can move like greased lightning when they have to...:-O

I know where you are coming from John - it's just me, myself and I here - it's just the way I like it!! :t: