Why is a moorhen’s bill (beak) red and not blue, green or purple?
According to some quick research I did on the subject, the red colour of the bill and frontal shield is actually linked to health – birds with brighter red shields tend to carry lower levels of bacteria and parasites. The colour may also help with asserting dominance, as individuals with more vivid red shields are more likely to win territorial disputes.
The yellow tip of the bill can also reveal information about a bird’s condition, including aspects of blood health and resistance to infection – acting as a secondary signal of fitness.
Would you ever have guessed that?
📔👂 I always listen to audiobooks while drawing in a realistic style – one of the quiet perks of this kind of work. Long hours of detail and concentration somehow pair perfectly with a good story unfolding in the background.
While working on this piece, I listened to ‘Water’ by John Boyne, and I ended up giving it 5* rating. A beautifully written and deeply human novel dealing with grief, shame, memory, and the weight of the past. The storytelling is subtle and restrained, yet emotionally powerful. I also enjoyed how it echoed another book I loved – ‘Hagstone’ by Sinéad Gleeson. An island setting, a mysterious woman arriving from elsewhere, and only a small cast of characters – proof that you don’t need much to create a compelling story.
🎨 This artwork is part of a large commission I’ve been working on this month.