Black-backed Swamphen vs African Rail
Porphyrio indicus compared with Rallus caerulescens
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-backed Swamphen | African Rail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Porphyrio indicus | Rallus caerulescens |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae | Rallidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 23.8 cm (9.4 in) |
| Weight | 604.45 g (21.32 oz) | 160.25 g (5.65 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated
Black-backed Swamphen
Least Concern
African Rail
About These Birds
Black-backed Swamphen
Black-backed Swamphen (Porphyrio indicus) is a 42–50 cm large swamphen of the Indonesian archipelago, including Sulawesi, the Moluccas, and New Guinea. Deep purple-blue with conspicuous jet-black back and mantle, distinguishing it from related swamphens. Massive red bill and frontal shield. Inhabits freshwater swamps and rice paddies.
African Rail
African Rail (Rallus caerulescens), 28 cm. Brown above with dark streaks; blue-grey underparts; barred white flanks; red bill and legs. Found in freshwater reedbeds and swamp margins across sub-Saharan Africa. Omnivore. Least Concern; common in wetland habitat.