*Oology is a branch of ornithology studying bird eggs, nests and breeding behaviour. The word is derived from the Greek oion, meaning egg.

32. Common Gallinule

This part of the Stanislaus Audubon Website is focused on 44 common Central Valley nesting species with background about their nesting habits. Please check the Great Valley Museum Central Valley Egg Collection starting page for links to all the featured species.

COMMON GALLINULE NESTING INFORMATION (From birdsoftheworld.org)

Nests - Nests in a variety of aquatic habitats, including emergent marshes, eutrophic lakes, paddy fields (cultivated rice, lotus, and taro), farm ponds, and mine pits and associated settling ponds. Most nests are in robust emergent aquatic vegetation, but may also nest on mats of floating vegetation, floating plant detritus, or floating logs. Both sexes participate in construction and maintenance of nests. Males reported to do most collecting of materials, while females do most arranging of materials at the nest site. Nests composed of leaves and stems of plants available near nest site.
Eggs - Elliptical or short subelliptical. Eggs are Burnt Umber (22) or Fawn Color. Markings are scattered splotches, spots, and minute specks. Clutch size usually 5 to 9 (range 4 to 10).
Incubation - 19–22 days, Both sexes incubate.
Fledging - Hatches with eyes open. Chicks first feed themselves at approximately 7 d, but continue to rely on adults and related juveniles to provide food until about 21–25 d old

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