SPLASH! Oh dear, did you see that? That was me, making a less-than-graceful escape. Running across water, flapping wildly before liftoff… totally intentional. Why escape? Well, you startled me… sneaking up on me with your camera, like some stealthy Croc! Graceful takeoffs are not my style. Instead, I run on water, flapping frantically before finally lifting off. No luck? Plan B: I sink into the water, leaving just my head above—stealth mode activated! So next time you spot a clumsy bird dashing across a pond, flapping like a maniac— you know who it is! By the way, despite my name, I’m not a hen. I belong to the Rail family. Closer to coots and Crakes than Chickens. My long, unwebbed toes are great for walking on floating plants and grip muddy banks like a pro. Who needs duck feet when you have these?

I seem chill, but come breeding season, I turn into a feathered warrior. Us Males kick-fight mid-air to claim territory. Once I win, my mate and I build a nest and raise our chicks. Raising them is a little easier because our kids from the last brood often stay back and babysit their new siblings. By the way, you’ve probably noticed my red facial shield. It isn’t just for show, you know. It signals health and dominance. A bright shield? I’m thriving. A dull one? Maybe I should eat more greens. Speaking of food, I am getting a bit “peckish”... haha, a little bird humour! I’m not picky though. Plants, insects, fish, and even carrion are all on the menu. Pristine wilderness like Yala is great to live in, but as I said before, I’m not picky. So you’ll also find me hanging out on urban ponds, canals, and reservoirs too—as long as there are some reeds to hide in.

Yala National Park is rich in birdlife, and the Eurasian Moorhen is among its remarkable residents. Whilst staying at the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Yala, Dilum captured this beautiful shot of a Moorhen gracefully going about its business during his morning safari… just before it saw him and did its trademark comical takeoff!