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Purple Swamphen

(Porphyrio porphyrio)
Alternative names: "Eastern Swamp-hen", "Bald Coot", "Purple Gallinule", "Purple Water-hen", "Black-backed Water-hen", "Macquarie-hen", "Redbill", "Puekeko"
Size: 45-50 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Purple Swamphens race "melanolus" are found mostly in the eastern half of the Australian continent, including Tasmania. Most common in the south-east and along the east coast, they disperse into other parts of the eastern half of the continent (notably into the semi-arid interior) only after substantial rainfalls, when there are mudflats for them to live in. They are not found in the southern half of the NT, the south-western part of SA and most of WA (except the Kimberleys and a small stretch of the north-west coast). Race "bellus" is endemic to the south-western corner of WA.

Purple Swamphens can be found in and around swamps and marshes, often with high reeds, and in ephemeral wetlands, e.g. inundated grassland.

Sightings

Purple Swamphens are a common sight along water edges of wetlands. In the Narrabri region seen regularly around permanent water, for example Narrabri Lake.

We also came across some of them in Canberra, ACT, in 2005 and near Uralla, northern NSW, in the same year.

Also spotted by us in many locations in central QLD, in particular also, in large numbers, in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009. Special access to the wetlands kindly granted by the owners of Capricorn Resort is most gratefully acknowledged.

Photos

Near-frontal view of a Purple Swamphen

Close-up view of a Purple Swamphen wading through shallow water

Purple Swamphen wading through a lagoon

Purple Swamphen in reeds

Lateral view of a Purple Swamphen

Here a bird seen from almost behind

Purple Swamphen caught unawares...

Lateral view of a juvenile bird; since it was seen together with an adult bird, its identification is reliable

Purple Swamphen with its chick

Here the chick is being fed

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Vagrant/dispersive Elementary unit: Flock

Purple Swamphes are primarily waders. When disturbed they will either vanish into dense foliage/reeds or fly away somewhat clumsily. They are not often seen swimming.

Purple Swamphen paddling away from the photographer

Although often seen squabbling, Purple Swamphens can live together in large numbers - see photo below.

Flock of Purple Swamphens in reeds in shallow water ; (photo obtained in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009; see credits page for details)

About 50 Purple Swamphens foraging on sports grounds near Narrabri Lake

Here a game of "catch me, if you can"

Food

To the best of our knowledge all waterhens are vegetarian. Purple Swamphens feed on reeds and aquatic plants; they are also known to feed on grassland, e.g. in urban parks.

This photo provides evidence that Purple Swamphens feed on grass seeds