DISTRIBUTION: Widespread across Europe, Australia, Asia, New Zealand and parts of northern Africa
UKDISTRIBUTION: Common on freshwater lowland habitats across the UK
IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least concern, world population increasing
HABITAT: Lakes, ponds and streams or larger stretches of slow-flowing water. Outside the breeding season birds will congregate in large flocks
FOOD: Omnivorous; will take a variety of small, live prey, including worms, molluscs and small amphibians, the eggs of other ground-nesting birds, seeds, fruit, algae and other vegetation, including aquatic plants
BREEDING: Territories are established at the beginning of the breeding season when birds pair up with much calling and simple displays. The male often chooses the nest site
NESTING: The bulky nest, constructed from grasses and reeds, is built close to the water’s edge or a suitable…
