Taxonomia
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Birds
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Genre: Fulica
Species: Fulica atra
Estado de Conservação da Espécie em Portugal e no Mundo
Portugal
Mundo
Características e
Hábitos
In terms of size, it has a length between 32 and 35 cm and a wingspan between 50 and 55 cm. It is mainly identified by its dark color, red beak with a yellow tip, and greenish-yellow legs. The tail appears to be raised and is white underneath. Juveniles are lighter, having brownish and grayish tones. It is a rather discreet bird, preferring to hide in the vegetation of lakes.
It feeds on plants such as grass and small aquatic animals such as small water snakes, mollusks, crustaceans, and insects. During the nesting season, it builds nests in aquatic areas amidst vegetation, or sometimes uses the nests of other woodcocks, leaving its eggs in the care of another female. Up to 9 eggs are laid. The incubation period is 19 to 22 days. The chicks remain in the nest for 1 to 2 days.
Habitat e Distribuição
It is a common resident bird, found in Portugal throughout the year, in most of the territory except for the highlands. It frequents a wide variety of humid habitats such as rivers, streams, weirs, marshes, lagoons, parks and gardens. It likes aquatic areas with plenty of vegetation where it can hide. The area of the country where it is most observed is the Algarve, although it is also frequently seen in the Tagus and Sado estuaries, the Douro River and the Aveiro lagoon.
Todas as Fotografias Realizadas
