Gough moorhen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gough moorhen |
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|---|---|
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| on Tristan da Cunha | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gallinula
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| Species: |
comeri
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The Gough moorhen (Gallinula comeri) is a special bird found only on two remote islands in the South Atlantic. It's a medium-sized bird that looks a lot like the common moorhen. However, the Gough moorhen is a bit smaller and has shorter wings. It also has a bright yellow-tipped red beak and a red shield on its forehead. This bird is almost flightless, meaning it can barely fly.
Its name comes from George Comer, a polar explorer who first wrote about the bird in 1888.
Where the Gough Moorhen Lives
The Gough moorhen originally lived only on Gough Island. This island is a very important nature reserve and a World Heritage Site. It's known as one of the most untouched island ecosystems in the South Atlantic. Gough Island is also home to many important seabird colonies. It has 54 bird species, with 22 of them breeding there.
In 1956, some Gough moorhens were moved to Tristan da Cunha. This island is in the same group as Gough Island. Tristan da Cunha used to have its own type of moorhen, called the Tristan moorhen (Galinula nesiotis), but it is now extinct.
Protecting the Gough Moorhen
On Gough Island, the future of the Gough moorhen looks safe. Because the island is a nature reserve and a World Heritage Site, the birds are protected. In the mid-1990s, scientists estimated there were about 2,500 breeding pairs of Gough moorhens on Gough Island.
However, on Tristan da Cunha, the Gough moorhen is not considered a native species. This means it doesn't have the same legal protection there.
Moorhen Family Ties
Scientists have studied the DNA of both the Gough moorhen and the extinct Tristan moorhen. They found that these two types of moorhens are very closely related. Some scientists even suggest that they should be considered different types of the same species, rather than completely separate species. This shows how connected the birds on these islands are.
See also
In Spanish: Gallineta de Gough para niños
