UK, Cambridgeshire, Papworth Everard: Moorhen (1 Viewer)

M

Moonphase

New member

• Oct 13, 2018

• #1

Hello,
I really don't know a lot about birds but I spotted this moorhen today 13th October and it didn't appear to have the red shield (?) and red/ yellow beak I'm used to. Apart from a light tip the shield and beak appeared almost black. Does anyone know why?

 

Attachments

• 
  46634EE9-01FA-4C23-ABAD-B84D93E125FF.jpg

  141 KB · Views: 37

esmondb

The fool that MrT doesn't pity

• Oct 13, 2018

• #2

A juvenile bird

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Oct 14, 2018

• #3

Yes, a young one - they only develop the adult bill colours when a few months old.


PS welcome to Birdforum!

 

M

Moonphase

New member

• Oct 14, 2018

• #4

Thank you

 

ClarkWGriswold

Carpe Carpum

Supporter

• Oct 14, 2018

• #5

Hi Moonphase. I agree with Moorhen and welcome to Birdforum.

Rich

 

JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• Oct 14, 2018

• #6

Plumage wise this looks like an adult. I think maybe the poor quality of the photo is making the bill look on the dark side (I've messed around with various parameters and a more regular bill seems to be appearing but there are limits to what I can do on this PC).

 

Attachments

• 
  46634EE9-01FA-4C23-ABAD-B84D93E125FF.jpg

  281.3 KB · Views: 20

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Oct 14, 2018

• #7

JWN Andrewes said:

Plumage wise this looks like an adult. I think maybe the poor quality of the photo is making the bill look on the dark side (I've messed around with various parameters and a more regular bill seems to be appearing but there are limits to what I can do on this PC).

Click to expand...

The shield is still only half-grown - I'd say a 'late juvenile' just starting to develop adult bill structure and colour. Look at it again in a month or so, and it'll probably have a full adult bill.

 

S

stevethehydra

Well-known member

• Oct 14, 2018

• #8

I've seen plenty of otherwise adult-looking Moorhens with dark/dull bills like this. I assume they are either in the final stages of transition between juv and adult plumage or they may be adults with low hormone levels for whatever reason (a bit like how gulls of typically yellow-legged species can have pinkish legs if in poor condition, esp outside the breeding season).