Grey-throated Rail vs African Swamphen

Canirallus oculeus compared with Porphyrio madagascariensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Grey-throated Rail African Swamphen
Scientific Name Canirallus oculeus Porphyrio madagascariensis
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length — —
Wingspan 33.4 cm (13.1 in) —
Weight 276.0 g (9.74 oz) 608.0 g (21.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 2-6
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Grey-throated Rail only

African Swamphen only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Grey-throated Rail

Not Evaluated

African Swamphen

About These Birds

Grey-throated Rail

Grey-throated Rail (Canirallus oculeus), 27 cm. Brown above; grey throat and breast; red eye and bill. Inhabits dense undergrowth of lowland forest in West and Central Africa. Omnivore: insects, snails and plant material. Least Concern; widespread but rarely seen.

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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