Birds · Gruiformes · Rallidae

Purple Swamphen

Porphyrio porphyrio

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

A large and very striking rail, almost twice the size of a common moorhen. Indigo or dark purple plumage evenly distributed, with an intensely red bill and frontal shield and reddish legs with very large feet. It is shy despite its colouring.

Weight

850 g on average

Size

45 cm – 50 cm

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

FreshwaterOmnivore Diurnal In pairs Bird Freshwater

49countries 57parks9same family

Fun facts

GeneralRecovered in Spain after coming close to disappearing; it holds stems in one foot to eat, like a hand.
Its recovery in Spain in the late 1980s is one of the great success stories of Iberian wetland conservation.
The genus Porphyrio simply means 'swamphen' in Latin, from the Greek porphurion, and gives its name to the colour purple as well.
The Spanish population is the largest anywhere in its world range.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Reedbeds, marshes and well-vegetated lagoons
Sexual maturity: 3 years
Litter / clutch size: It nests among reedbeds near water. The breeding season coincides with the peak of the rains, or with summer in temperate climates. The males perform an elaborate courtship holding aquatic plants in their bills

Sources consulted: IUCN Red List; SEO/BirdLife (ficha y III Atlas: Sánchez-Lafuente 2022); Sánchez-Lafuente 2017; Sangster 1998, Dutch Birding 20; García-R y Trewick 2015; Linnaeus 1758; Brisson 1760