Purple Swamphen

There are two subspecies. Porphyrio bellus is in the southwest of WA and the Porphyrio melanotus is in the north of WA, eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. Other subspecies are in other parts of the world.

The Purple Swamphens photographed here are the Porphyrio bellus

The Purple Swamphen is approx 45-52cm in length.

It lives in freshwater swamps, lakes, rivers and urban ponds.

Photographed at Lake leschenaultia Perth

Its nest is a bulky platform made from the plants near the waters edge where it is hidden. Approx 5-7eggs are laid and hatch in approx 23days.

This is the Purple Swamp Hens egg was 5cmL x 3.5cmW and was photographed at the Western Australian Museum.

What does it eat?

It feeds mostly on aquatic plants but will also eat frogs, fish and occasional eggs and chicks of other birds. They also graze on lawns.

This skull was photographed at the Western Australian Museum.

This is the young chick photographed at the Booragoon Lake in early November, they are so cute in their funny sort of way.

Check out the size of their toes! Seeing their tracks you could easily think the bird was much larger.

Booragoon Lake photographed in November.

This Purple Swamp Hen and chick was photographed at Booragoon Lake in October.