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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	African Swamphen	Eastern Water Rail
Scientific Name	Porphyrio madagascariensis	Rallus indicus
Order	Gruiformes	Gruiformes
Family	Rallidae	Rallidae
Conservation Status	Not Evaluated	Least Concern
Length	—	—
Wingspan	—	24.8 cm (9.8 in)
Weight	608.0 g (21.45 oz)	133.0 g (4.69 oz)
Diet	--	--
Clutch Size	2-6	5-12
Population Trend	—	—

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

🌿 Wetland

African Swamphen only

None

Eastern Water Rail only

🌾 Grassland

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Conservation Status

Not Evaluated

African Swamphen

Least Concern

Eastern Water Rail

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About These Birds

African Swamphen

African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) is a 38–50 cm large gallinule of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Deep blue-purple with greenish back, massive red bill and frontal shield, and red legs. Inhabits papyrus swamps, lake shores, and dense reed beds. Similar to Purple Swamphen but restricted to Africa.

Eastern Water Rail

Eastern Water Rail (Rallus indicus), 28 cm. Very similar to Western Water Rail; brown above, grey-blue below, barred flanks. Breeds in eastern Asia and winters in South and Southeast Asia. Inhabits freshwater reedbeds and swamp margins. Omnivore. Least Concern.

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