Hawkins's Rail vs African Swamphen

Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi compared with Porphyrio madagascariensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Hawkins's Rail African Swamphen
Scientific Name Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi Porphyrio madagascariensis
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Extinct Not Evaluated
Length
Wingspan
Weight 2000.0 g (70.55 oz) 608.0 g (21.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-6
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Hawkins's Rail only

African Swamphen only

Conservation Status

Extinct

Hawkins's Rail

Not Evaluated

African Swamphen

About These Birds

Hawkins's Rail

Hawkins's Rail (Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi). Extinct. Large flightless rail formerly endemic to Chatham Islands, New Zealand; estimated 50 cm. Known from sub-fossil bones. Driven to extinction by Polynesian settlers and introduced rats before European contact, likely by 1400 CE. Omnivore of forest floor.

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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