Rondeau Ric

Common gallinule, Rondeau Provincial Park, May 31, 2019. While out on the pontoon we found two gallinules, a real treat. Gallinula galeata Newly hatched Common Gallinule chicks have spurs on their wings that help them climb into the nest or grab onto vegetation. source - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Gallinule/overview

It must be close to breeding time. These common moorhens were going at each other with no holds barred. They seemed to be trying to drown each other. As they look alike I couldn't tell who the winner was. At the end one was chased off. The action was to fast to get a better photo. Gallinula galeata The Common Gallinule has long toes that makes it possible to walk on soft mud and floating vegetation. The toes have no lobes or webbing to help in swimming, but the moorhen is a good swimmer anyway. Newly hatched chicks of the Common Gallinule have spurs on their wings that help them climb into the nest or grab emergent vegetation source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology.