Scientific name:
Fulicinae

Natural spread:
global occurrences

forms a subfamily of the Rallen the Bläßhühner and occurs on all continents. Alone 7 of the altogether 10 types are to be found in South America, under them the hump or Rüsselbläßhuhn (Fulica cornuta), that still 4000-m-borders at some remote mountain-seas above it, in the high-Andes, broods. The Kammbläßhuhn (Fulica cristata) lives in South-Spain and Africa's largest part. It carries all the Rallen of own forehead-plate two red, horny humps beside it. From Canada as far as to the northern South America, the spread-area of the American Bläßhuhns (Fulica americana), that draws near, stretches relative with our native Bläßhuhn (Fulica atra) is. More final comes in Europe's restrained zones, North-Africa, Asia and Australia before.

Way of life The Bläßhühner are good swimmers and can dive. they prefer inner-waters with reed-overgrown shores, is to be found also on reservoirs without each Uferbewachsung, however. In contrast to the real Rallen, they are on tried the water-life through characteristic wide swimming-rags at the individually standing toes.

The way of life of the native Bläßhuhns (Fulica atra) should be described in place of the type. The black bird with the white "blaze" at the vertex is frequent and occurs beside the mentioned spread-areas in Europe of the middle Swede until South-Spain. According to residence is the Bläßhuhn estate, line, or migratory bird.

Reproduction The incubation begins in April or Mays in general. Between light Uferbewachsung, partially however also unprotected or even free-swimming, the nests are positioned from dry plant-sharing. On this occasion, old tube-stubbles can, that stick out from the water, that basis forms. These are equipped with a bridge in order to later ease the boy the achievement of the nest. While the birds are extremely sociable otherwise, the precincts are stubbornly defended by the males now. The female usually puts 7-10 eggs, bigger nests are possible. After approximately 3 weeks, the boys slip and immediately swim as Nestflüchter with the mother around.

Diving-technology Bläßhühner dive with danger and to the food-search. They pick up plant-parts of the reason on that occasion. The diving-process is introduced by a short jump with downward directional beak in order to overcome the strong buoyancy of the easy animals faster. After at most 15 split-second the Bläßhühner again at the water-surface back. When diving, only the feet are used for the rowing. When swimming, the torso lies deeply in the water, each rudder-hit of the legs is interconnected with a strong head-nod.