David Woodfall / Corncrake (Crex crex) walking at dawn on Machair, North Uist, Scotland, UK, June.

John Shaw / Purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) reaches for giant bulrush (Schoenoplectis californicus) seeds. Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida, USA, April.

Guy Edwardes / Allen's / Lesser gallinule (Porphyrio alleni) walking on waterlilies, Chobe River, Botswana.

Guy Edwardes / Black crake (Amaurornis flavirostra) standing on lily pads, Chobe River, Botswana.

John Waters / Close-up of a Coot (Fulica atra) walking on ice, Greylake RSPB Reserve, Somerset Levels, England, UK, February.

Ingo Arndt / Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) nest from Germany in collection at Uebersee-Museum, Bremen, Germany.

Ingo Arndt / Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) nest from Germany in collection at Uebersee-Museum, Bremen, Germany.

Bence Mate / Water rail (Rallus aquaticus) reflected in water, Lake Csaj, Kiskunsagi National Park, Pusztaszer, Hungary.

Melvin Grey / Purple gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) adult. Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida, USA, May.

George Sanker / Purple gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) in mangrove swamp. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. March.

Claudio Contreras / American coot (Fulica americana americana) in mist, with Popocatepetl volcano behind, Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, Mexico. November.

Ole Jorgen Liodden / Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) perched on branch, Lake Naivasha, Kenya.