Zapata Rail vs African Swamphen

Cyanolimnas cerverai compared with Porphyrio madagascariensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Zapata Rail African Swamphen
Scientific Name Cyanolimnas cerverai Porphyrio madagascariensis
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Critically Endangered Not Evaluated
Length
Wingspan 20.5 cm (8.1 in)
Weight 175.0 g (6.17 oz) 608.0 g (21.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3 2-6
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Zapata Rail only

None

African Swamphen only

None

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Zapata Rail

Not Evaluated

African Swamphen

About These Birds

Zapata Rail

Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai), 29 cm. Slate-grey with brown upperparts, red bill and pink legs; flightless. Endemic to the Zapata Swamp, Cuba. Inhabits dense sawgrass marsh. Omnivore. Critically Endangered; world's rarest rail, threatened by drainage, burning and predators.

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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