Scientific Name: Porphyrio porphyrio

The purple swamphen has a bright red beak and frontal shield on the front of the head. The breast and neck is clothed in deep blue plumage, while the back is black. It measures around 45cm from beak to tail.

Did You Know? In Western Australia, the purple swamphen has a sky-blue breast and neck, whereas in eastern regions it is purplish-blue.

Habitat: The swamphen inhabits the wetlands of most of Australia, including Tasmania, except for the arid western interior. It is widely distributed elsewhere, occurring in Africa, southern Europe, southern Asia and New Zealand. It will often enter pasture areas adjacent to wetlands to feed.

Diet: These birds graze on grasses, reeds and rushes, often pulling plants out with the powerful beak and holding them with their foot while chewing at the roots and stalks. Some small animals such as insects and frogs are also taken.

Reproduction: Purple swamphens build a large platform of water plant stems lined with grass and reeds. The female lays from 3-5 blotched buff eggs measuring around 53x36mm in size. The chicks are able to leave the nest within a few days of hatching and follow the parents around finding food for themselves at an early age.

Behaviour: Family groups defend a territory and keep in touch with each other with constant signaling by flicking the tail to expose the white underparts. A single nest is built and several females may all lay their eggs together.