Lesser Moorhen
Gallinula angulata
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderGruiformes (Cranes, Rails, and Allies)
- FamilyRallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
- GenusGallinula (Typical Moorhens)
- SpeciesGallinula angulata (Lesser Moorhen)
About the Lesser Moorhen
The lesser moorhen (Paragallinula angulata) is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is sometimes placed into the genus Gallinula. It is the only member of the genus Paragallinula. The lesser moorhen was formerly placed in the genus Gallinula, but a 2015 molecular genetic study demonstrated that Gallinula was composed of four distinct lineages. The genus was split into four genera: Gallinula (sensu stricto), Paragallinula, Porphyriops, and Tribonyx.
P. angulata is the only known species of Paragallinula which makes Paragallinula a monotypic genus. The name Paragallinula comes from the Greek para 'beside' and the genus Gallinula. It is named for its similarity with the members of Gallinula, but it also indicates its unique genetic lineage.
The lesser moorhen is widely spread across Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding Southern Africa and Madagascar). It was once recorded in the Western Palearctic as a rare vagrant. This species has also been sighted in Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, and Oman.
Lesser moorhen - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Lesser Moorhen in Ruaha National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Ruaha National Park
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
African Crake
Crex egregia
Black Crake
Amaurornis flavirostra
Red-knobbed Coot
Fulica cristata
Corn Crake
Crex crex
Allen's Gallinule
Porphyrio alleni
Western Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio
African Rail
Rallus caerulescens
Grey Crowned Crane
Balearica regulorum
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Lesser Moorhen in Ruaha National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Lesser Moorhen sighting in Ruaha National Park, based on 14 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Lesser Moorhen in Ruaha National Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for Lesser Moorhen in Ruaha National Park in our monthly data.