Chatham Islands Rail vs African Swamphen

Cabalus modestus compared with Porphyrio madagascariensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Chatham Islands Rail African Swamphen
Scientific Name Cabalus modestus Porphyrio madagascariensis
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Extinct Not Evaluated
Length
Wingspan
Weight 83.1 g (2.93 oz) 608.0 g (21.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-6
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Chatham Islands Rail only

African Swamphen only

Conservation Status

Extinct

Chatham Islands Rail

Not Evaluated

African Swamphen

About These Birds

Chatham Islands Rail

Chatham Islands Rail (Cabalus modestus). Extinct. Small flightless rail formerly endemic to the Chatham Islands, New Zealand; approximately 20 cm. Known from bones and a handful of historical specimens. Extinct by about 1900 due to introduced cats, rats and predation by early settlers.

African Swamphen

African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) is a 38–50 cm large gallinule of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Deep blue-purple with greenish back, massive red bill and frontal shield, and red legs. Inhabits papyrus swamps, lake shores, and dense reed beds. Similar to Purple Swamphen but restricted to Africa.

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