Philippine Swamphen

Philippine swamphen (''Porphyrio pulverulentus'' Temminck, 1826) is a species of swamphen occurring in the Philippines and in the Talaud Islands, Indonesia. In the Philippines, it is found on Luzon, Mindanao, and other larger islands. Its habitat is dense reedbeds in swamps and wetlands, and fringing vegetation by lakes, ponds and rivers.

It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen, which it resembles, but has olive-chestnut mantle and scapulars, and the whole plumage is tinged with ash-grey.

Description and taxonomy

EBird describes the bird as "A large, colorful waterbird of wetlands with a purplish-blue body and front of the wings, a dark brown back and back of the wings, white under the base of the tail, and bright red legs, bill, and forehead shield. Somewhat similar to Eurasian Moorhen but larger, blue rather than gray, without the yellow-tipped bill. Juvenile also resembles Plain Bush-hen, but with a larger and thicker bill. Voice includes a harsh croaking “kraak!”

Part of the Purple swamphen species complex which includes the Australasian swamphen, Grey-headed swamphen, Western swamphen, African swamphen and Black-backed swamphen but was differentiated through molecular studies and its purple back.

This species is monotypic.

Ecology and behavior

There have been no species specific studies on its breeding and diet but it is pressumed to have the same behaviour as the purple swamphen species complex. Primarily feeds on vegetable matter such as roots, shoots, stems, flowers and leaves. Also feeds on insects, mollusks and small vertebrates. Uses its bill and legs to cut up food. Typically seen foraging on the shore in shallow water and in floating vegetation.

Lives in communal groups and multiple females lay in one single communal nest with all members helping in raising the young.

Habitat and conservation status

This species occupies a variety of wetlands fresh or brackish ponds, lakes, canals and rivers with overgrown vegetation.

IUCN has yet to assess this bird as it only recognizes the Purple swamphen. It is likely that the population is declining. These birds are generally uncommon and its wetland habitat is in danger of being converted into farmland and residential areas.

In the 2010s, Black-backed swamphen or Australasian swamphens have been reported in Mindanao and Western Visayas where they have now become the dominant species and have replaced Philippine swamphen. In 2023, it was first reported in Rizal. It is unknown if it spreading and slowly replacing the birds on Luzon.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q21097372

Philippine swamphen
Endemic birds of the Philippines
Wading birds
Philippine swamphen