Lesser Moorhen vs White Swamphen

Paragallinula angulata compared with Porphyrio albus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Lesser Moorhen White Swamphen
Scientific Name Paragallinula angulata Porphyrio albus
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Extinct
Length
Wingspan 26.6 cm (10.5 in)
Weight 137.4 g (4.85 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3-9 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Lesser Moorhen only

None

White Swamphen only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Lesser Moorhen

Extinct

White Swamphen

About These Birds

Lesser Moorhen

Lesser Moorhen (Paragallinula angulata) is a small 20–23 cm Afrotropical moorhen of sub-Saharan Africa's shallow freshwater marshes. Resembles Common Moorhen but smaller, with yellow bill tipped red and duller frontal shield. Secretive; skulks in dense reed beds and floating vegetation mats. Feeds on aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and small fish.

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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