Dieffenbach's Rail vs African Swamphen

Hypotaenidia dieffenbachii compared with Porphyrio madagascariensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Dieffenbach's Rail African Swamphen
Scientific Name Hypotaenidia dieffenbachii Porphyrio madagascariensis
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Extinct Not Evaluated
Length — —
Wingspan — —
Weight 274.6 g (9.69 oz) 608.0 g (21.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-6
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Dieffenbach's Rail only

African Swamphen only

Conservation Status

Extinct

Dieffenbach's Rail

Not Evaluated

African Swamphen

About These Birds

Dieffenbach's Rail

Dieffenbach's Rail (Hypotaenidia dieffenbachii). Extinct. Flightless; brown with barred underparts; endemic to the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Hunted to extinction by Polynesian and European settlers by approximately 1840. Known from a few museum specimens collected in 1839–40.

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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