The
White-breasted water hen is about 33cm long, and the dorsal
part of the bird from its crown to the tip of its tail is grayish-green,
as are its wings. Their lower abdomens and the area under their
tails are orange-red; their beaks, legs, and feet are yellowish-brown;
the base of their upper bill is red; and their forehead, face,
and abdomen are white, all of which contrasts vividly with the
coloration of their backs. Their name, White-breasted water
hen, is derived from their white colored abdomen. The plumage,
beaks, legs, and feet of chicks, however, are immaculate black.
Behavior:
White-breasted
water hens give off a clear, loud call of "ku o-ku o"
that sounds like a groaning whine in Chinese and becomes even
more resonant during their mating season. They feed primarily
on aquatic insects, spiders, grass, leaves, and seeds, and are
solitary birds commonly found nesting in shrubs or bamboo bushes
near rice paddies, in bamboo forests near water, and in marshlands.
Females typically lay a clutch of three eggs and usually produce
up to three broods per year. White-breasted water hens have
large feet that allow them to wade through waterweeds and mud,
and they prefer walking to flying, though they will occasionally
swim instead. When walking, their tail feathers tend to point
upward. A shy and cautious bird, they will quickly rush into
thick bushes for security when disturbed. Although able to fly
when necessary, they usually only glide along at slow speeds
for a few meters before quickly landing because of their huge,
heavy feet. When flying, their necks are outstretched and their
legs are left dangling.
Habitat:
White-breasted
water hens are usually spotted alone near rice paddies, swamps,
ponds, ditches, or shallow lakes located anywhere from flatlands
to low elevation areas. They are also known to wander around
foraging for food in pristine river areas.
