From Opus

Gallinula mortierii

Photo by smp
Location: Northern Tasmania, Australia

[edit] Identification

45 cm. Pale yellow bill, bright red eye, green-brown above and slate-grey on the flanks with white flashes. The tail and abdomen are black.

[edit] Distribution

Endemic to Tasmania (Australia).

[edit] Taxonomy

A monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Marshes, river flats and near fresh water streams and rivers. The ideal habitat is short, grazed pasture and damp pasture near streams with grassy vegetation for nesting.

[edit] Behaviour

They nest in grassy vegetation. 5 eggs are usually laid, although 9 - 10 is not uncommon. They sometimes produce more than one clutch per year. The social structure of native hens is unique; within a population of native hens, roughly half are monogamous (have only one mate) and half polygamous.

The diet includes grasses, seeds, clover and legumes. Insects are eaten by young native hens.

Although they cannot fly, they are good swimmers and very fast runners.

Native hens are preyed upon by quolls and Tasmanian devils, and a large range of birds from kookaburras and ravens to gulls and birds of prey. Eggs are taken by quolls, Tasmanian devils, ravens and marsh harriers. Adult native hens also fall prey to devils and eagles.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID