moorhen

noun

moor·​hen ˈmu̇r-ˌhen 

: an aquatic bird (Gallinula chloropus) of the rail family that is widespread in the New World, Eurasia, and Africa and that has a red bill, red frontal area on the head, and a white band on the flanks

called also gallinule

Examples of moorhen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Using their exacting sense of smell, minks prey on small animals—including salmon, moorhens, kingfishers and frogs. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024

Under the proposal, the Horicon refuge would be open to hunting for woodcock, moorhen, coyote, ruffed grouse, opossum, raccoon, fox, skunk, bobcat, snowshoe hare and black bear on acres already open to other hunting. —Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2020

All of the windows look out on the river, abundant with trout and irresistible to herons and moorhens. —Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2018

Silverman further populates her wuthering heights with a winsome governess (Chasten Harmon), a typhoid maid (Hannah Cabell), a talking moorhen (Teresa Avia Lim), and a glum mastiff (Andrew Garman). —The New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

moorhen

noun

moor·​hen ˈmu̇(ə)r-ˌhen 

: a common gallinule found in the New World, Eurasia, and Africa