Wildlifeof China
Western Swamphen
Cranes, Rails & Bustards
Photo: Martien Brand · CC BY 2.0
Porphyrio porphyrio
Basic stats
Diet
Marsh-plant shoots and bulbs plus arthropods, snails, fish, reptiles, eggs, nestlings, and other small prey
Habitat
Freshwater and brackish marshes, swamps, lagoons, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wet agricultural land
Range
Tropical and subtropical Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and oceanic islands; introduced to Florida
Clutch size
3–6 eggs per female; up to 12 in a communal nest
Incubation period
Not reported by ADW
Size
Average 51 cm
Wingspan
Not reported by ADW
Weight
850–1,050 g
The western swamphen is a large rail native to tropical and subtropical wetlands across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and numerous islands. It occupies freshwater and brackish marshes, swamps, lagoons, lakes, river margins, estuaries, and wet agricultural areas. Adults are roughly chicken-sized, averaging 51 cm long. Their glossy indigo or purple plumage contrasts with a red bill and frontal shield, long orange-red legs, and conspicuous white undertail feathers. Females average about 850 g and males approximately 1,050 g. (Animal Diversity Web)
Swamphens browse marsh-grass and reed shoots and dig up plant bulbs, but also take arthropods, snails, fish, lizards, eggs, nestlings, and juvenile waterbirds. Their social breeding arrangements range from monogamous pairs to communal groups containing several adults and helpers. Males build multiple reed-and-sedge nests, including later brooding platforms near feeding areas. Each female lays three to six eggs, while a nest shared by several females may contain as many as twelve. Breeding adults cooperate in incubation and care of the chicks. (Animal Diversity Web)
Quick answers
- What does the Western Swamphen eat?
- Marsh-plant shoots and bulbs plus arthropods, snails, fish, reptiles, eggs, nestlings, and other small prey
- What habitat does the Western Swamphen live in?
- Freshwater and brackish marshes, swamps, lagoons, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wet agricultural land
- Where is the Western Swamphen found?
- Tropical and subtropical Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and oceanic islands; introduced to Florida
- How many eggs does the Western Swamphen lay?
- 3–6 eggs per female; up to 12 in a communal nest
- How long are the eggs of the Western Swamphen incubated?
- Not reported by ADW
- How big is the Western Swamphen?
- Average 51 cm
- What is the wingspan of the Western Swamphen?
- Not reported by ADW
- How much does the Western Swamphen weigh?
- 850–1,050 g