MOORHEN
The moorhen is pigeon sized, being 270 to 310mm long. The plumage is predominantly black and brown, with both sexes being the same. Under the tail is white with a black central stripe and there is a white broken line along the flanks. The legs and toes are a yellowy green, with the toes having no webbing. The red frontal shield on the face is the most recognizable feature, with the bill also being red but with a yellow tip.
Moorhens are resident here on Kefalonia and can be found on rivers, well vegetated lakes and marshy areas. Livadi marsh and the lagoon at Argostoli are good spots to see them. Aquatic creatures and various plants make up their diet which they find in the water and around the edges of the water.
Just like their close cousins, the coots, moorhens are very territorial during the breeding season. The nest is a basket, built on the ground in dense vegetation. 8 eggs are laid in the first brood, with the second brood usually having fewer. Both parents incubate and feed the young. Incubation taking 3 weeks and fledging occurring after 40 to 50 days.
