Lesser Moorhen
Gallinula angulata
Photographed at Nairobi National Park, Kenya. 3 October 2010.
As the common name implies this bird is slightly smaller than the more common and widespread Common Moorhen. It is partial to shallow water or wet meadows where it feeds on tender vegetation.
Colin Jackson offers the following tip for identification: the bill colour is mostly yellow with the red tinge along the culmen, but also note the pointed top to the 'frontal shield' / bill - apparently this is a good feature if you get views / photos like this since Common Moorhen has a rounded one.
Rallidae -- Rail Family
Books Available for Sale on ABE Books:
- Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman et al.
- Birds of East Africa by Stevenson and Fanshawe