Description The Hawaiian Moorhen is a also referred to as the Hawaiian Gallinule. It is a dark gray bird with a black head and neck, and white feathers on their flanks and undertail. They have a bright red frontal shield and beak, their bill is tipped with yellow. The 'Alae'ula is about 13" tall and has greenish legs and feet. The male and female are similar in appearance with a wingspan of 21".

Lifecycle These birds nest year-round and although the active season is from March through August, nesting is often related to water levels and vegetation growth. Both parents share in building a nest and of reeds among vegetation in the water and incubation; the male more so in the former and the female more so in the latter. A large clutch of 6-10 creamy colored eggs spotted with brown gray and black hatch in about 22 days. Chicks are covered in black down with bright red bills and are able to run about and swim within a few hours after hatching but remain with the parents for several weeks.

Habitat Found in freshwater ponds and marshes with thick vegetation but can also be found in a rice fields, taro patches, reservoirs, irrigation ditches and wet pastures.

Diet An opportunistic feeder that dines on plants and animals which includes algae, aquatic insects, mollusks, water plants and grasses.

Behavior Hawaiian Gallinules are very secretive and this wary bird remains close to vegetation to hide quickly when it senses danger. They swim well even though they don't have webbed feet and are able to dive under water and propel themselves with their legs. The moorhen roosts at dusk in low trees or bushes to hide from predators. They have a distinct chicken like cackle.

Cultural According to ancient legend the 'Alae'ula brought fire to the Hawaiian people. Flying to the volcano home of the gods to steal a blazing brand the moorhens formerly white forehead was scorched by the volcano's fires. Thus its name "alae"