These are waterfowl with the appropriately named marsh chickens. But they also live on rivers. Where there is a lot of algae. Birds are shy and prefer shelter with reeds. Therefore, they received a different name - according to the type of algae in which they prefer to live. I love these birds. Still, shooting hard-to-reach places is interesting. When I see swamp chickens, I am very happy and try to catch them with the camera every time. Sometimes these birds get out on the shore, and I manage to sneak up closer. I have never seen them in a calm state. They are in perpetual motion, whether in the water or on the shore. Only occasionally are they more / less calm - they can climb on a snag on the river and polish their feathers for some time. But it is unlikely that these chickens doze in the sun, like wild ducks that live next to them in the river. At least I did not see them during such a state.
The marsh hen has climbed a log and runs along it back and forth. The bird could have sat quietly, but the activity of marsh chickens is off scale.
t is believed that marsh chickens are not friendly with other birds. But this year I periodically saw them on the river in the company of ducks. Especially when the ducks are fed, one or two hens also pick up food next to them.
There are swamp chickens with dark plumage and a reddish beak, at the tip it has a bright yellow color. But there are such birds and a lighter gray-brown color, as I showed in the previous photos.
I read that the light gray-brown birds of this species are younger than the dark ones. But I already doubt it, since I saw them in the fall and are already of normal size. At the same time I saw black marsh chicks with bright red beaks.
In our city, many do not know that marsh chickens live nearby on the river. It is not easy to see them even if you walk along the coast every day.
Young birds are bolder, because there is no experience, but they also quickly hide if they see that a person has paid attention to them.
These birds are very caring parents. Further in my video, you can see how a swamp hen catches a dragonfly for its chick and carries food to the reeds.
Thank you for sharing with me the joy of contemplating my favorite birds.
