White Swamphen vs Ridgway's Rail
Porphyrio albus compared with Rallus obsoletus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White Swamphen | Ridgway's Rail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Porphyrio albus | Rallus obsoletus |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae | Rallidae |
| Conservation Status | Extinct | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 29.6 cm (11.7 in) |
| Weight | — | 295.0 g (10.41 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 4-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Extinct
White Swamphen
Near Threatened
Ridgway's 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.
Ridgway's Rail
Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus), 38 cm. Long-billed; brown above; rufous breast; barred flanks. Found in coastal saltmarshes and freshwater marshes of California and Baja California. Omnivore: crabs, fish, invertebrates. Endangered; severe tidal marsh loss and sea-level rise.