Drummer Rail vs African Swamphen

Habroptila wallacii compared with Porphyrio madagascariensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Drummer Rail African Swamphen
Scientific Name Habroptila wallacii Porphyrio madagascariensis
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Not Evaluated
Length — —
Wingspan 32.6 cm (12.8 in) —
Weight 1000.0 g (35.27 oz) 608.0 g (21.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-6
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Drummer Rail only

None

African Swamphen only

None

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Drummer Rail

Not Evaluated

African Swamphen

About These Birds

Drummer Rail

Drummer Rail (Habroptila wallacii), 38 cm. Large, nearly flightless; grey with brown upperparts and a thick red bill. Endemic to Halmahera, Indonesia. Inhabits lowland primary forest floor. Omnivore; produces a deep drumming call. Vulnerable; deforestation on Halmahera.

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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