The White-breasted Water Hen

The white breasted water hen is a shy bird, ever so furtive in its movements. Years ago we could only hear them as we were surrounded by marshy land. But now that most of the rice fields have disappeared and apartments have come up, we see them in our yards now, foraging in our gardens. But they still nest in some of the marshy patches left untouched by man so far. Their call is raucous and they tend to get vocal during the breeding season around dawn and dusk.

Although the bird's colours are predominantly dark grey and white, the undertail feathers are rust brown. The beak is greenish yellow and the base is red.


I often see them pecking on the ground much like the way chickens do. Their diet includes seeds, insects and small fish. They also nibble on small snails, worms and snack on shoots and roots of marsh plants.


This is my entry for World Bird Wednesday. Click on the link and check out some of the most stunning bird photos from across the planet.

The White-breasted Water Hen

Around this time of the year we wake up to the loud and raucous calls of the White-breasted Water hen. When we first moved here, in the area we are living in, I remember being fascinated by these beautiful birds. A pair even nested on our bamboo grove years ago. Although they still nest in the vicinity, it's a comforting thought to know that they are still around. More land is being cleared and there's less open space now but the marshy land near our house is a good feeding ground. So are the small gardens in my neighbourhood.

The white-breasted water hen/Amauromis phoenicurus belongs to the Rail  family. As you can see from the picture above, they have a  white face, neck and breast. The upper part of the body and flanks are dark grey whereas the lower belly and undertail are the colour of rust.  I often see a pair in my yard feeding on the grain that I leave for the birds. Their diet also includes worms, small snails and fish. They like to forage in the mud in shallow water but roost on low bushes and trees.

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According to Wiki, White-breasted water hens nest in a dry location on the ground in marsh vegetation laying 6-7 eggs. It takes about 19 days for the eggs to hatch. The bird is found throughout Asia near streams and lakes, near rice fields, and in marshy areas.