- Gallinula ventralis
Identification
38cm
- Brownish-grey
- White spots on flanks
- Green bill and frontal shield
- Orange-red lower mandible
- Pink legs and feet
- Bright yellow eye.
Distribution
Endemic to Australia; vagrant in Tasmania and New Zealand.
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Habitat
Terrestrial wetlands in low rainfall areas,with fresh or brackish water.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes seeds, plant material and insects.
Breeding
They breed near water in swamps, building a a cup-shaped nest from stalks, twigs and leaves, lined with grasses and feathers. Five to seven pale green eggs are laid and incubated for approximately 20 days.
References
- Birds in Backyards
