Lord Howe Woodhen vs African Swamphen

Hypotaenidia sylvestris compared with Porphyrio madagascariensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Lord Howe Woodhen African Swamphen
Scientific Name Hypotaenidia sylvestris Porphyrio madagascariensis
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Endangered Not Evaluated
Length
Wingspan 27.7 cm (10.9 in)
Weight 533.75 g (18.83 oz) 608.0 g (21.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-4 2-6
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Lord Howe Woodhen only

African Swamphen only

Conservation Status

Endangered

Lord Howe Woodhen

Not Evaluated

African Swamphen

About These Birds

Lord Howe Woodhen

Lord Howe Woodhen (Hypotaenidia sylvestris), 38 cm. Brown; flightless; endemic to Lord Howe Island (Australia). Inhabits subtropical rainforest. Omnivore: invertebrates, berries and lizards. Near Threatened; recovered from 20 individuals in 1980 to 200+ through eradication of feral pigs.

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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