Black-tailed nativehen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-tailed nativehen |
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|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Tribonyx
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| Species: |
ventralis
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| Range in green | |
| Synonyms | |
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Gallinula ventralis |
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The black-tailed nativehen (Tribonyx ventralis) is a type of rail bird. It is found naturally in Australia.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The black-tailed nativehen is a fairly large, dark bird. It can grow to about 38 cm (15 inches) long. It usually weighs around 400 grams (about 0.9 pounds).
This bird has an upright tail. Its body is mostly covered in brownish-grey and green feathers. Its long legs and lower beak are a bright pink-orange color. Its eyes are also a striking bright orange.
These birds are not very noisy. Their main call is an alarm sound that sounds like 'kak'. You might notice them when they gather in small groups on the ground. Their upright tails and social behavior can remind you of farm chickens.
Where Does It Live?
This bird is a nomadic species. This means it moves around to find water sources that change with the seasons. You can find it living all year near fresh water or slightly salty water (called brackish water).
Where Can You Find Them?
The black-tailed nativehen is common across Australia. It lives near both permanent and temporary water sources. It has a very large natural range. This area is estimated to be between 1 million and 10 million square kilometers.
The IUCN says this bird is of "Least Concern". This means it is not currently at risk of extinction. Sometimes, it flies to New Zealand or Tasmania, but this is rare.
How Do They Have Babies?
Black-tailed nativehens usually breed between August and December. They also breed when conditions are good, like after rain. They build a nest that looks like a cup. They place it in plants near water or in swampy areas.
The female bird lays 5 to 7 pale green eggs. The parents then sit on the eggs to keep them warm. This is called incubation. The eggs hatch after about 20 days.
What Do They Eat?
This bird eats insects, different parts of plants, and seeds. In areas where farmers grow crops, black-tailed nativehens can sometimes eat the crops. This can cause damage to the farms.
- Birds in Backyards – Black-tailed Native-hen
- BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Gallinula ventralis. Downloaded from [1] on 5/5/2007
See also
In Spanish: Gallineta patirroja para niños
