Gray-headed Swamphen
Porphyrio poliocephalus
A very large bluish-purple waterbird with a red bill and forehead shield, as well as red legs and feet with long toes. The tail is flicked up often, revealing fluffy white “underpants.” Juveniles are duller than adults and lack the red bill and shield. An inhabitant of marshy, vegetated freshwater bodies such as swamps, rivers, and lakes; usually in small groups. Feeds, often clumsily, at muddy water edges, in reeds, and on floating vegetation. Makes short nasal grunts and croaking sounds. Formerly part of the species known as Purple Swamphen.
Taxonomy
The grey-headed swamphen is one of 15 species in the genus Porphyrio. It was classified as a subspecies of P. porphyrio until 2015, when the purple swamphen species complex was split into 6 species.
- Scientific name
- Porphyrio poliocephalus
- Authority
- (Latham, 1801)
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Porphyrio
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pied Cuckoo
Clamator jacobinus
Black-and-white cuckoo with a spiffy crest (also known as the “Jacobin Cuckoo” for its smartly attired appearance). Some southern African birds exhibit a dark morph: all black with a white wing patch. Found in lowland and foothill open forests and plains, often in thorny growth. Song is a widely-spaced series of somewhat hoarse whistled notes. Lays its eggs in the nests of babblers, bulbuls, and shrikes.
Coconut Lorikeet
Trichoglossus haematodus
Very long-tailed lorikeet, mostly green but bright red chest and underwing is striking in flight. Dark hood with thick yellow border is striking. Generally in wooded lowlands but recorded to more than 2000m in some locations. Unique within its range. Similar Rainbow Lorikeet has a purple belly patch and more vibrant purple face, but the two do not overlap. Gives a series of chattering notes while perched, in flight sharp screeching squeals betray its presence.
Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
Small tern with an entirely black body in breeding plumage with silvery wings. In the winter, their body is whitish-gray and they are not as conspicuous, but note small size, rather dark gray wings and rump, and black "helmet." Breeds in colonies in freshwater marshes and ponds. Builds a floating nest of plant matter. In migration and winter, often found in flocks. Feeds on insects and small fish.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.