As a common sight on our local chalk streams, coots and moorhens are the cause of much confusion. In addition to being mistaken for ducks (they’re actually in the rail and crake family), these water birds look quite alike and are often found in the same places. Spot one fleetingly, or from a distance, and you'll need some detective skills to tell them apart.

By far the easiest way to recognise these birds is by their faces. Both birds have 'frontal shields', which essentially means that their beaks extend up their foreheads. The shields and beaks of moorhens are bright red except for a yellow tip at the bottom. The shields and beaks of coots are white or pale pink in colour - in fact, this is where the phrase “bald as a coot” comes from!

Pictured below from left to right (click to expand): Adult coot / adult moorhen.

Didn’t catch a glimpse of the bird’s face? Not to worry – there are other features to look for. Coots have fully black bodies, while moorhens have dark brown backs and white patches on their wings and tails. Coots are also a little larger; their average wingspan is around 75 cm, compared to the moorhens’ 52 cm.

If the bird was walking around on land, you have several more clues to work with. Both birds have yellow legs and big feet that end in sharp claws - handy for walking on uneven ground or winning scraps with other animals. Neither species is afraid to deliver a swift kick against rivals for mates or territory.

Coots have pale grey feet with wide, flat flaps of skin along their toes. These 'lobes' make them strong swimmers and help them to run on the water when taking flight. Moorhens, by contrast, have yellow feet that look a bit like those of chickens, and bright red rings around the tops of their legs.

Pictured below from left to right (click to expand): Adult coot on land / adult moorhen on land.

Things get a bit trickier if the bird you’ve spotted is young. Coot chicks have black bodies, bright red beaks, and a shock of orange-red feathers around their heads, necks, and shoulders. Moorhen chicks, meanwhile, are black all over, although they do share the same red-and-yellow beaks as the adults.

When the chicks grow into the bird version of teenagers, they take on somewhat duller colours. Juvenile coots are a smoky grey, and juvenile moorhens are a dusty brown. At this age, neither species will be sporting their adult beak colours, so the moorhen’s white patches are a good way to tell them apart.

Both species breed in the spring and summer, building their nests along the riverbank or on floating mats of vegetation. Coots lay between six and nine eggs at a time, whereas moorhens lay between five and seven. But while coots usually have just one brood a year, moorhens can often manage two.

Pictured below from left to right (click to expand): Coot chicks / moorhen chicks / juvenile coot / juvenile moorhen.

The location of your sighting can also help with identification. While both birds frequent our chalk streams, coots are more comfortable on open water. They spend a lot of time away from the riverbank, diving under the water to grab plants, algae, snails, and insects. They bring their food back up to the surface, which can lead to tussles if there are other coots nearby.

Moorhens like being close to dense vegetation, and will often run for cover when startled. They're also more comfortable on land than coots are, and have a broader diet that includes fruit, seeds, worms, and grasses. You might even see one perched in a bankside tree! Watch for the flicking of their white tail feathers, which signals their alertness to potential predators.

Cherishing our chalk streams

Coots and moorhens are just some of the many amazing species that call our chalk streams home. These watercourses are globally rare and ecologically precious, so we want to keep them healthy. To learn more about chalk streams, and get involved in protecting them, check out the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme - there are talks, guided walks, a wonderful volunteer community, and more.

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