White Swamphen vs Sakalava Rail

Porphyrio albus compared with Zapornia olivieri

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute White Swamphen Sakalava Rail
Scientific Name Porphyrio albus Zapornia olivieri
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Extinct Endangered
Length
Wingspan 20.4 cm (8.0 in)
Weight 121.5 g (4.29 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

White Swamphen only

Sakalava Rail only

None

Conservation Status

Extinct

White Swamphen

Endangered

Sakalava 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.

Sakalava Rail

Sakalava Rail (Zapornia olivieri) is a tiny 14–15 cm crake endemic to western Madagascar. Brown above with rufous and grey tones; pale buff below. Inhabits dense freshwater marshes and rice paddy margins in the Sakalava lowlands. Poorly known and rarely recorded.

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