Habitat selection of Coot (Fulica atra) and Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) in a remnant Mediterranean wetland (Italy): Implications for conservation.

We investigated habitat selection in two abundant and widespread Palearctic rallids, the Coot Fulica atra and the Moorhen Gallinula chloropus across a range of wetland types. The distribution of these two species varied according to water depth as implied by the dominant vegetation present in the study area. Coots used most frequently wet dune slacks dominated by Phragmites australis whereas Moorhens were mostly present in anthropized ecotones. We argue that because these two species of rallids respond differently to various environmental pressures, they could be used as useful indicators in the biomonitoring of the general health of various types of wetlands.