1. Any of various small aquatic birds of the genus Gallinula distinguished from rails by a frontal shield and a resemblance to domestic hens
   "The common water hen can often be seen swimming in ponds and marshes";
   - gallinule, marsh hen, swamphen, pukeko [NZ]
    
2. A coot found in North America
   "water hens gathered in large groups on the lake";
   - American coot, marsh hen, mud hen, Fulica americana

Derived forms: water hens

Type of: aquatic bird, coot

Part of: Fulica, Gallinula, genus Fulica, genus Gallinula

Encyclopedia: Water hen