Dusky Moorhen

Gallinula tenebrosaGould, 1846

Updated 11 June 2026

Also known asKoolyeeGindurra

Least ConcernNative

Order: GRUIFORMES
Family: Rallidae
Genus: Gallinula

At a glance

The Dusky Moorhen is a large bird, about 35–40 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size: 35–40 cm
Conservation status: Least Concern
Origin: Native
Best seen: Year-round
Commonness: Very common

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Dusky Moorhen look like?

The Dusky Moorhen is a large bird, about 35–40 cm long and weighing 290–721 g, identified by its red frontal shield and yellow-tipped red bill, white undertail coverts with central black bar, uniformly dark slaty-grey to black body and vivid orange-yellow legs.

The Dusky Moorhen is a common waterbird found in wetlands across Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia. It is identified by its dark grey-black plumage, red bill and frontal shield tipped with yellow, and white undertail coverts. It is frequently seen in urban ponds and permanent wetlands, where it forages on both land and water margins.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

01
Red frontal shield and yellow-tipped red bill
Highly visible on the dark head.
02
White undertail coverts with central black bar
Clearly visible against dark plumage, especially when tail is flicked upwards.
03
Uniformly dark slaty-grey to black body
Appears very dark overall, sometimes with a slight brownish tinge on the back.
04
Vivid orange-yellow legs
Strongly contrasting leg colour, particularly visible when walking or standing.

Field specs

Length: 35–40 cm
Weight: 290–721 g
Wingspan: 55 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

Regularly flicks its tail upward while walking or swimming, revealing white undertail coverts that are clearly divided by a central black vertical bar.

flight

When flushed, it flies low over the water with a heavy, fluttering action and dangling legs before quickly dropping back into cover.

plumage

The bill and frontal shield are bright red with a distinct yellow tip, while the dark charcoal flanks are solid and lack any horizontal white stripes.
Adults possess diagnostic orange-yellow to reddish legs and feet, which are especially visible when the bird is walking on mud or floating vegetation.

size_and_shape

The silhouette is defined by a stout, chicken-like build and exceptionally long, unwebbed toes.

voice

Listen for a loud, sharp 'kurk' or 'krik' that often runs together into a rhythmic 'kurruk-uk' sound, which is frequently echoed by nearby individuals.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Dusky Moorhen?

The Dusky Moorhen is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Tim · Sydney NSW, Australia

Call

J N. · Victoria, AU

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Dusky Moorhen eat?

The Dusky Moorhen feeds on seeds, foliage/herbs and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in ground gleaner.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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