White Swamphen vs Austral Rail

Porphyrio albus compared with Rallus antarcticus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute White Swamphen Austral Rail
Scientific Name Porphyrio albus Rallus antarcticus
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Extinct Vulnerable
Length — —
Wingspan — 18.3 cm (7.2 in)
Weight — 60.4 g (2.13 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 8
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

White Swamphen only

Austral Rail only

None

Conservation Status

Extinct

White Swamphen

Vulnerable

Austral Rail

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.

Austral Rail

Austral Rail (Rallus antarcticus), 19 cm. Brown with dark streaks above; grey breast and barred flanks. Found in dense reed-marsh of southern Chile and adjacent Argentina south to Tierra del Fuego. Omnivore. Endangered; drainage of southern marshes and livestock impacts.

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