The Maltese moorhen has escaped the normal zeal of hunters and is happily flourishing in increasing numbers on the island.

Although the moorhen, or gallozz, is inedible, it has been hunted regularly for decades. However, this year, the number of moorhens breeding in Malta is the highest ever recorded. The species has been breeding in at least nine new sites.

“The fact that there are so many moorhens breeding even in areas which are frequented by shooters shows that many hunters are not shooting them,” ornithologist Natalino Fenech told Times of Malta.

“The moorhen has been recorded breeding regularly for the past 21 years but never in such numbers. In places such as Għajn Rihana there are at least 40 birds and a minimum of five pairs have bred,” Dr Fenech said.

The moorhen’s habit of skulking and hiding its head even if its body remains visible has led to an expression in Maltese, ‘tagħmel bħall-gallozz’ – equivalent to the English expression ‘burying your head in the sand’. However, its ostrich way of coping with life is not what has spared the moorhen from hunters’ cartridges.

Last year, St Hubert’s Hunters, a hunting organisation, urged members not to shoot moorhens due to the surprise breeding of a species similar to the moorhen but very rare, the Allen’s gallinule

Last year, St Hubert’s Hunters, a hunting organisation, urged members not to shoot moorhens due to the surprise breeding of a species similar to the moorhen but very rare, the Allen’s gallinule.

Two Allen’s gallinules spotted in Malta were the first breeding pair recorded in Europe. Since young gallinules and moorhens look alike, especially at dawn and dusk when the birds are most active, the hunters’ organisation sought to ensure the survival of the gallinules.

The moorhen has been breeding in at least nine new sites. Photos: Natalino Fenech

Moorhens this year were recorded breeding for the first time in Żebbuġ, Wied is-Sewda, Chadwick Lakes, Mosta, Blata l-Bajda, Marsa, Kirkop, Fomm ir-Riħ, Manikata and in the reservoir situated opposite the office of the Federation for Hunting and Conservation in Msida.

Still, not all is well in the land of the moorhen. The species faces peril from cats and dogs.

“It would be a good thing if hunters refrained from going around valleys where there is still water with their pointers, because when moorhens are very young, they can easily be caught by dogs,” Dr Fenech said.

There is also the danger that they be run over, especially at night.

“In some places, moorhens are breeding very close to roads and, at night, they walk about to forage for food and sometimes end up in the middle of the road,” he said.

Chances are that, if they see cars coming their way, they will not step aside but, instead, do what they know best: bury their heads.