Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Dusky Moorhen
Gallinula tenebrosa
Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) — Cranes & Rails of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 17 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 530 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Gallinula
- Species tenebrosa
Where it lives
Wallacea, New Guinea, eastern Australia, Tasmania, New Britain (southeastern Bismarck Arch.) and New Caledonia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 530 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Dusky Moorhen is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Dusky Moorhen is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Wallacea, New Guinea, e Australia, Tasmania, New Britain (se Bismarck Arch.) and New Caledonia.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 530 g, with a wing length of about 19.7 cm and a tail of around 7.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Dusky Moorhen?
The Dusky Moorhen is a large bird that weighs around 530 g.
Where does the Dusky Moorhen live?
The Dusky Moorhen is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Wallacea, New Guinea, e Australia, Tasmania, New Britain (se Bismarck Arch.) and New Caledonia, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Dusky Moorhen belong to?
The Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Dusky Moorhen eat?
The Dusky Moorhen is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Dusky Moorhen migrate?
The Dusky Moorhen is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Dusky Moorhen endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Dusky Moorhen make?
1 real field recording of the Dusky Moorhen — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Dusky Moorhen's range?
The Dusky Moorhen has a mapped global range of about 3.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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