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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	White Swamphen	Purple Swamphen
Scientific Name	Porphyrio albus	Porphyrio porphyrio
Order	Gruiformes	Gruiformes
Family	Rallidae	Rallidae
Conservation Status	Extinct	Least Concern
Length	—	—
Wingspan	—	47.0 cm (18.5 in)
Weight	—	777.5 g (27.43 oz)
Diet	--	--
Clutch Size	--	2-7
Population Trend	—	—

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

🌿 Wetland

White Swamphen only

🌲 Forest

Purple Swamphen only

None

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Conservation Status

Extinct

White Swamphen

Least Concern

Purple Swamphen

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About These Birds

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.

Purple Swamphen

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is a large 38–50 cm purple-blue gallinule of Mediterranean Europe and Central Asia. Deep blue-purple with greenish back, massive red bill and frontal shield, and red legs. Inhabits large reed beds, marsh edges, and rice paddies. Walks through vegetation and can climb reed stems.

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More Birds to Explore

More from Rallidae

African Crake Crex egregia African Rail Rallus caerulescens African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni All Rallidae birds →

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