New Guinea Flightless Rail vs White Swamphen
Megacrex inepta compared with Porphyrio albus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | New Guinea Flightless Rail | White Swamphen |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megacrex inepta | Porphyrio albus |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae | Rallidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.8 cm (13.7 in) | — |
| Weight | 1012.5 g (35.71 oz) | — |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
New Guinea Flightless Rail only
White Swamphen only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
New Guinea Flightless Rail
Extinct
White Swamphen
About These Birds
New Guinea Flightless Rail
New Guinea Flightless Rail (Megacrex inepta) is a large 38–45 cm flightless rail endemic to lowland New Guinea. Dark brown; robust legs; greatly reduced wings. Inhabits dense forest floor, often near swampy areas and stream margins in lowland rainforest. Poorly known; rarely observed despite relatively large size.
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.