The family unit in Moorhens

It is interesting to see the different ways that the two waterbird species we have, moorhens and mallards, operate in raising their young. With mallards it is 100% down to the mother who has to raise up to maybe fifteen ducklings all on her own. With moorhens both adults are involved in raising typically two to four chicks - but it is not just the adults - the juveniles from a previous brood are also on duty. We have had two moorhen pairs this year and both are on their second brood. You often see a juvenile either looking after a chick on their own or accompanying one of the adults with a chick. The picture shows a juvenile on duty with a chick. Like teenagers everywhere they are not always as reliable a babysitter as an adult sometimes heading off when disturbed leaving the chick paddling frantically to catch up.