Definition

Noun: 1. A small aquatic bird: Any of various small, dark-colored birds that live in or near freshwater marshes and ponds. They are characterized by a distinctive red or yellow frontal shield on their forehead and resemble domestic hens in shape and size. 2. A specific North American coot: A common name for the American Coot (Fulica americana), a slate-gray bird with a white bill and frontal shield, often seen swimming in open water.

Usage Examples

• General aquatic bird:
  • We spotted a water hen hiding among the reeds at the edge of the pond.
  • The water hen, with its distinctive red shield, is also commonly called a moorhen.
• North American coot:
  • A large flock of water hens gathered on the lake.
  • The water hen paddled across the water, its white beak clearly visible.

Advanced Usage

• The term "water hen" is often used interchangeably with moorhen (for birds of the genus ) and coot (for birds of the genus ), though there are technical differences. In casual birdwatching, it serves as a general descriptive name.
• It is frequently used in regional names and by hunters and naturalists familiar with local wildlife.

Variants and Related Words

• Moorhen (n): A more specific term for birds in the genus , a type of water hen.
  • The common moorhen is a frequent sight in European wetlands.
• Gallinule (n): The formal family name (Rallidae) for rails, coots, and moorhens, which includes water hens.
  • Purple gallinules are colorful relatives of the more common water hen.
• Coot (n): Specifically refers to birds in the genus , such as the American Coot, which is called a water hen in North America.
  • The coot is easily identified by its white bill.

Synonyms

• Moorhen (for species)
• Coot (for species, especially in North America)
• Marsh hen (a general regional synonym)

Related Phrases & Idioms

• (As) crazy as a water hen: An informal, regional expression describing eccentric or frantic behavior, drawing on the bird's sometimes skittish movements.
  • She was running around the office as crazy as a water hen trying to meet the deadline.

Noun

1. any of various small aquatic birds of the genus Gallinula distinguished from rails by a frontal shield and a resemblance to domestic hens
2. a coot found in North America