Black-tailed Nativehen

1. Upright, narrow black tail that is often flicked

2. Green upper bill and frontal shield, reddish-orange lower bill, and bright yellow or orange eyes

3. Coral pink to reddish-orange legs and prominent white spots on the flanks

Highly adaptable, Black-tailed Native-hens are omnivores, feeding on seeds, plant material, insects, snails, and occasionally small vertebrates. They are social birds, often foraging in groups on open ground near water, using their rapid running gait to stir up prey. Breeding typically occurs from August to December or whenever conditions are favourable, especially after rain. Nests are cup-shaped and hidden in dense vegetation near water, with clutches of 5–7 pale green eggs. Chicks are covered in black down and are able to walk and feed themselves within hours of hatching, though they take several weeks to fly. The species is highly nomadic and capable of long-distance movements, with dramatic irruptions tied to rainfall and food availability.

Black-tailed Native-hens are widespread across mainland Australia, inhabiting both permanent and ephemeral wetlands such as shallow lakes, swamps, floodplains, and river margins. They are especially common in arid and semi-arid regions and may also appear near urban wetlands and golf courses. Their numbers can increase dramatically following heavy rains, with large flocks sometimes appearing almost overnight as they move in response to changing water and food availability. Although less common, they can also be seen as rare vagrants in Tasmania and New Zealand.