/
Small waterhen with an erect black tail (no white edges) resembling that of a domestic chicken.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Gulguwi, Baan.Giirr, Black-Tailed Native Hen, Gallinule, Black-Tailed Water-Hen, Swamphen, Native Hen, Water Hen
At a glance
FamilyRails, Gallinules, and Coots
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatReedbeds, marsh edges, farm dams, sedgelands, and thick waterside vegetation.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from October to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Peter Boesman
Range map
Range map
3902visible hotspots
56125visible records
6states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Note pale green base to the bill with a yellow tip and a red spot, bright red-pink legs, and pale spots on flanks. Can occur in large numbers. Hard to approach, and when disturbed runs away fast. Tends to be less vocal than other waterhen species.
Behavior
Small waterhen with an erect black tail (no white edges) resembling that of a domestic chicken. Frequents locations around inland wetlands, and is usually seen on land rather than in the water.
Gallery