28-3-2025 BUNDALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - GREY HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus)

The Grey-headed Swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus, presents a striking figure with its slate-grey head and neck, contrasting with the deep blue of its body. This species, once considered a mere subspecies of the Purple Swamphen, has since 2015 been recognized as a full species in its own right.

To identify the Grey-headed Swamphen, look for its large size and robust build, with long legs and toes that are well-adapted to its wetland habitat. The male and female are similar in appearance, though the male may perform an elaborate courtship display.

This bird is typically found in wetlands, where it can be seen wading through shallow waters or striding along the marshy banks.

The Grey-headed Swamphen ranges from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand. Notably, an introduced population has established itself in southern Florida, North America.

Males engage in a unique courtship ritual, brandishing water weeds in their bills and bowing to females with a series of loud chuckles, a display that is as endearing as it is peculiar.

The vocalizations of this species during courtship are characterized by loud chuckling sounds, which are part of the male's display to woo the female.

10-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - GREY HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/474332-Porphyrio-poliocephalus

14-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - GREY HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/474332-Porphyrio-poliocephalus

11-3-2020 KERULA, INDIA - GREY HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/474332-Porphyrio-poliocephalus

24-11-2016 INLE LAKE, MYANMAR - GREY HEADED SWAMP HEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus)

The grey-headed swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus ) is a species of swamphen occurring from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand. It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen, but was elevated to full species status in 2015; today the purple swamphen is considered a superspecies and each of its six subspecies groups are designated full species.

The male has an elaborate courtship display, holding water weeds in his bill and bowing to the female with loud chuckles.

The grey-headed swamphen was introduced to North America in the late 1990s due to avicultural escapes in the Pembroke Pines, Florida area. State wildlife biologists attempted to eradicate the birds, but they have multiplied and can now be found in many areas of southern Florida. Ornithological authorities consider it likely that the swamphen will become an established part of Florida's avifauna. It was added to the American Birding Association checklist in February 2013.

Looking like an oversized version of a Purple Gallinule with a massive red bill, the Gray-headed Swamphen is an impressive bird and the largest rail in North America. Originally from southern Asia, it became established in southern Florida in the mid-1990s when birds escaped from captivity and began breeding. Like gallinules, this species forages in marshes by wading, swimming, and even climbing to reach aquatic vegetation, insects, and animal prey. Swamphens are aggressive competitors and may dominate or displace our native North American rails.

Grey-headed swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) is a species of swamphen occurring from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand. It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen, but was elevated to full species status in 2015; today the purple swamphen is considered a superspecies and each of its six races are designated full species.

The male has an elaborate courtship display, holding water weeds in his bill and bowing to the female with loud chuckles.

The grey-headed swamphen was introduced to North America in the late 1990s due to avicultural escapes in the Pembroke Pines, Florida area. State wildlife biologists attempted to eradicate the birds, but they have multiplied and can now be found in many areas of southern Florida. Ornithological authorities consider it likely that the swamphen will become an established part of Florida's avifauna. It was added to the American Birding Association checklist in February 2013.

27-12-2015 SAIGON, VIETNAM - GREY HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus)

The grey-headed swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus ) is a species of swamphen occurring from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand. It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen, but was elevated to full species status in 2015; today the purple swamphen is considered a superspecies and each of its six subspecies groups are designated full species.

The male has an elaborate courtship display, holding water weeds in his bill and bowing to the female with loud chuckles.

The grey-headed swamphen was introduced to North America in the late 1990s due to avicultural escapes in the Pembroke Pines, Florida area. State wildlife biologists attempted to eradicate the birds, but they have multiplied and can now be found in many areas of southern Florida. Ornithological authorities consider it likely that the swamphen will become an established part of Florida's avifauna. It was added to the American Birding Association checklist in February 2013.

Looking like an oversized version of a Purple Gallinule with a massive red bill, the Gray-headed Swamphen is an impressive bird and the largest rail in North America. Originally from southern Asia, it became established in southern Florida in the mid-1990s when birds escaped from captivity and began breeding. Like gallinules, this species forages in marshes by wading, swimming, and even climbing to reach aquatic vegetation, insects, and animal prey. Swamphens are aggressive competitors and may dominate or displace our native North American rails.