Black Rail vs White Swamphen
Laterallus jamaicensis compared with Porphyrio albus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black Rail | White Swamphen |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Laterallus jamaicensis | Porphyrio albus |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae | Rallidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | — |
| Weight | 32.96666666666667 g (1.16 oz) | — |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4-13 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Endangered
Black Rail
Extinct
White Swamphen
About These Birds
Black Rail
Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) is a tiny 10–15 cm, secretive rail of North and South America. Very dark charcoal-black with reddish-brown nape and white spotting on back; red eye. Breeds in coastal salt marshes and freshwater marshes; winters further south. Declining sharply due to marsh loss and sea-level rise.
White Swamphen
White Swamphen (Porphyrio albus) is an extinct all-white swamphen formerly endemic to Lord Howe Island, Australia. Known from specimens collected around 1790 and early drawings; had reduced wings indicating flightlessness or near-flightlessness. Extirpated by hunting after European discovery. Related to Australasian Swamphen.