Galapagos Rail vs White Swamphen

Laterallus spilonota compared with Porphyrio albus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Galapagos Rail White Swamphen
Scientific Name Laterallus spilonota Porphyrio albus
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Extinct
Length
Wingspan 13.2 cm (5.2 in)
Weight 40.0 g (1.41 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3-6 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Galapagos Rail only

None

White Swamphen only

None

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Galapagos Rail

Extinct

White Swamphen

About These Birds

Galapagos Rail

Galápagos Rail (Laterallus spilonota) is a small 15–17 cm flightless or near-flightless rail endemic to highland vegetation zones of several Galápagos islands. Dark brown above with white spots; grey below with barred flanks. Inhabits dense ferns, mosses, and Miconia scrub in humid highlands.

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.

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