23-1-2020 TANCAT DE L'ILLA, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

The Western Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio, is a striking waterbird of the rail family Rallidae. Known also as the sultana bird, this species is adorned with vibrant plumage, large feet, and a distinctive red bill and frontal shield, making it a conspicuous presence in its natural habitat.

This chicken-sized bird can be identified by its bright plumage, which is typically purple-blue, and its red bill and frontal shield. The large feet of the Western Swamphen are another characteristic feature, aiding in its navigation through wetland vegetation.

The Western Swamphen is found in a variety of wetlands, including swamps, lake edges, and damp pastures. These environments provide the bird with the necessary resources for feeding and breeding.

The Western Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio, is a striking waterbird of the rail family Rallidae. Known also as the sultana bird, this species is adorned with vibrant plumage, large feet, and a distinctive red bill and frontal shield, making it a conspicuous presence in its natural habitat.

This chicken-sized bird can be identified by its bright plumage, which is typically purple-blue, and its red bill and frontal shield. The large feet of the Western Swamphen are another characteristic feature, aiding in its navigation through wetland vegetation.

The Western Swamphen is found in a variety of wetlands, including swamps, lake edges, and damp pastures. These environments provide the bird with the necessary resources for feeding and breeding. 

The species is native to parts of the Western Palearctic, with populations in Spain, Portugal, southeastern France, Italy (notably Sardinia and Sicily), and northwestern Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Despite its somewhat clumsy flight, the Western Swamphen is capable of flying long distances. It is also an adept swimmer, particularly for a bird without webbed feet. The species is known for its loud, quick calls, which include bleating and hooting sounds that are quite unbird-like in tone. These calls are especially prevalent during the breeding season. 

 

The Western Swamphen's vocalizations are distinctive and varied, including loud and quick bleating and hooting calls. These sounds are an integral part of the bird's social and breeding behaviors.

Breeding typically occurs seasonally, with timing correlating with peak rainfall or summer in temperate regions. The Western Swamphen nests in warm reed beds, constructing large pads of interwoven reeds on floating debris or just above water level. Both sexes incubate the 3–6 speckled eggs for 23–27 days. Chicks are precocious, feathered with downy black plumage, and are able to leave the nest shortly after hatching, though they may remain for a few days before venturing out.

The diet of the Western Swamphen includes tender shoots and vegetable-like matter found within its wetland habitat. It also consumes eggs, ducklings, small fish, and invertebrates such as snails. There are reports of these birds attacking large eels, though it is not confirmed if eels are a regular part of their diet. They are known to use one foot to bring food to their mouth rather than eating it on the ground.

20-11-2024 EL HONDO, ALICANTE - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

The western swamphen (known as Purple Swamphen) (Porphyrio porphyrio ) is a swamphen in the rail family Rallidae, one of the six species of purple swamphen. From the French name talève sultane, it is also known as the sultana bird. This chicken-sized bird, with its large feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily recognisable in its native range. It used to be considered the nominate subspecies of the purple swamphen, but is now recognised as a separate species. The western swamphen is found in wetlands in Spain (where the largest population lives), Portugal, southeastern France, Italy (Sardinia and Sicily) and northwestern Africa (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia).

The species makes loud, quick, bleating and hooting calls which are hardly bird-like in tone. It is particularly noisy during the breeding season. Despite being clumsy in flight, it can fly long distances and is a good swimmer, especially for a bird without webbed feet.

Western swamphens are generally seasonal breeders, correlating with peak rainfall in many places, or summer in more temperate climes. The purple swamphen breeds in warm reed beds. The pattern of social behaviour tends to be monogamy.

Pairs nest in a large pad of interwoven reed flags, etc., on a mass of floating debris or amongst matted reeds slightly above water level in swamps, clumps of rushes in paddocks or long unkempt grass. Each bird can lay 3–6 speckled eggs, pale yellowish stone to reddish buff, blotched and spotted with reddish brown. The incubation period is 23–27 days, and is performed by both sexes. The precocious chicks are feathered with downy black feathers and able to leave the nest soon after hatching, but will often remain in the nest for a few days. Young chicks are fed by their parents (and group members) for between 10–14 days, after which they begin to feed themselves.

14-6-2024 LAGUNA DEL SAMARUC, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

The western swamphen (known as Purple Swamphen) (Porphyrio porphyrio ) is a swamphen in the rail family Rallidae, one of the six species of purple swamphen. From the French name talève sultane, it is also known as the sultana bird. This chicken-sized bird, with its large feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily recognisable in its native range. It used to be considered the nominate subspecies of the purple swamphen, but is now recognised as a separate species. The western swamphen is found in wetlands in Spain (where the largest population lives), Portugal, southeastern France, Italy (Sardinia and Sicily) and northwestern Africa (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia).

Quite common although very local in the Mediterranean region, occasional escapes occur in northern Europe. Prefers freshwater wetlands. It moves through the interior of large reed beds and reed beds; it also feeds on the margins of the vegetation or even in the adjacent wet meadows. It is characterized by being a large rail, much larger than a redfish. Its plumage is generally dark purplish blue, with a very robust red beak and reddish legs, and a white undertail spot. The young ones are basically grayish, appearing duller overall.

The species makes loud, quick, bleating and hooting calls which are hardly bird-like in tone. It is particularly noisy during the breeding season. Despite being clumsy in flight, it can fly long distances and is a good swimmer, especially for a bird without webbed feet.

The western swamphen prefers wet areas with high rainfall, swamps, lake edges and damp pastures. The birds often live in pairs and larger communities. It clambers through the reeds, eating the tender shoots and vegetable-like matter. They have been known to eat eggs, ducklings, small fish and invertebrates such as snails. They have even been known to attack large eels; however, there is no consensus amongst ornithologists if they actually eat eel. They will often use one foot to bring food to their mouth rather than eat it on the ground. Where they are not persecuted they can become tame and be readily seen in towns and cities.

Pairs nest in a large pad of interwoven reed flags, etc., on a mass of floating debris or amongst matted reeds slightly above water level in swamps, clumps of rushes in paddocks or long unkempt grass. Each bird can lay 3–6 speckled eggs, pale yellowish stone to reddish buff, blotched and spotted with reddish brown. The incubation period is 23–27 days, and is performed by both sexes. The precocious chicks are feathered with downy black feathers and able to leave the nest soon after hatching, but will often remain in the nest for a few days. Young chicks are fed by their parents (and group members) for between 10–14 days, after which they begin to feed themselves.

Today the western swamphen is locally common, with the largest population in Spain. It was formerly listed as "Rare" by the European Union, but has been delisted to "Localised".

The species declined drastically in the first half of the 20th century due to habitat loss and hunting. It was relatively widespread until 1900, but by the 1960s it was seriously threatened and its range in the Iberian Peninsula was limited to a few locations in the Guadalquivir basin. As a result of reintroduction schemes and protection of both the species and its habitat, the western swamphen has since recovered. By the 1990s it was locally common, and by 2000 its range in the Iberian Peninsula was similar to its range in 1900. The center is in Spain where the population increased from 600–900 breeding pairs in 1992 to 3500–4500 breeding pairs in 1999. From Spain it has continued its expansion into southeastern France where small numbers now breed.

 It remains rare and local in Portugal where there were 49–67 breeding pairs in 2002, but this population is also recovering. It was extirpated from Sicily in 1957, effectively restricting its Italian range to Sardinia where the population was 450–600 breeding pairs in 1999. Beginning in 2000, it was reintroduced to Sicily. A small "purple swamphen" population in central Italy is the result of grey-headed swamphens that escaped from a zoo.

Little is known about the status of the western swamphen in Africa, but northeastern Algeria is considered one of its strongholds in this region.

When protected, western swamphens are able to thrive in human-managed habitats, and in some places they live in paddy fields, resulting in conflicts with farmers as they can be destructive to the rice.

6-10-2023 LAGUNA DE SILLA, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

The western swamphen prefers wet areas with high rainfall, swamps, lake edges and damp pastures. The birds often live in pairs and larger communities. It clambers through the reeds, eating the tender shoots and vegetable-like matter. They have been known to eat eggs, ducklings, small fish and invertebrates such as snails. They have even been known to attack large eels; however, there is no consensus amongst ornithologists if they actually eat eel. They will often use one foot to bring food to their mouth rather than eat it on the ground. Where they are not persecuted they can become tame and be readily seen in towns and cities.

Swamphens were often kept in captivity in ancient Greece and ancient Rome. The behavior of the species was described in some detail by Aristotle in History of Animals (4th century BC), and they were also mentioned by Aristophanes (5th century BC), Pliny the Elder (1st century BC), Aelian and Athenaeus (2nd to 3rd century AD). Sources indicate that these birds typically were western swamphens (originating from the Balearic Islands, among others) or grey-headed swamphens (originating from Turkey), and the two were already distinguished by Pliny the Elder who considered the former superior. They typically were not kept for food, but instead were decorative birds in villas and temples. If raised in captivity swamphens tend to become quite tame. There are many depictions of the species on Roman mosaics and frescos, typically in a natural or domestic environment, including the famous garden fresco from Pompeii. In early Christianity it was also frequently depicted, but here symbolising the richness of life and often perched in the tree of life. 

17-2-2023 EL HONDO, ALICANTE - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

1-3-2022 LAGUNA DE NAVASECA, LA MANCHA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

9-2-2022 MARJAL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

9-2-2022 MARJAL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

12-1-2022 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

 

14-12-2021 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, ALBUFERA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

24-3-2021 EL FONDO, ALICANTE - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

 

19-11-2020 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

 

25-10-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

 

30-9-2020 EL HONDO, MURCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/475028-Porphyrio-porphyrio

23-1-2020 TANCAT DE L'ILLA, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

The Western Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio, is a striking waterbird of the rail family Rallidae. Known also as the sultana bird, this species is adorned with vibrant plumage, large feet, and a distinctive red bill and frontal shield, making it a conspicuous presence in its natural habitat.

This chicken-sized bird can be identified by its bright plumage, which is typically purple-blue, and its red bill and frontal shield. The large feet of the Western Swamphen are another characteristic feature, aiding in its navigation through wetland vegetation.

The Western Swamphen is found in a variety of wetlands, including swamps, lake edges, and damp pastures. These environments provide the bird with the necessary resources for feeding and breeding.

The Western Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio, is a striking waterbird of the rail family Rallidae. Known also as the sultana bird, this species is adorned with vibrant plumage, large feet, and a distinctive red bill and frontal shield, making it a conspicuous presence in its natural habitat.

This chicken-sized bird can be identified by its bright plumage, which is typically purple-blue, and its red bill and frontal shield. The large feet of the Western Swamphen are another characteristic feature, aiding in its navigation through wetland vegetation.

The Western Swamphen is found in a variety of wetlands, including swamps, lake edges, and damp pastures. These environments provide the bird with the necessary resources for feeding and breeding.

The species is native to parts of the Western Palearctic, with populations in Spain, Portugal, southeastern France, Italy (notably Sardinia and Sicily), and northwestern Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Despite its somewhat clumsy flight, the Western Swamphen is capable of flying long distances. It is also an adept swimmer, particularly for a bird without webbed feet. The species is known for its loud, quick calls, which include bleating and hooting sounds that are quite unbird-like in tone. These calls are especially prevalent during the breeding season.

The Western Swamphen's vocalizations are distinctive and varied, including loud and quick bleating and hooting calls. These sounds are an integral part of the bird's social and breeding behaviors.

Breeding typically occurs seasonally, with timing correlating with peak rainfall or summer in temperate regions. The Western Swamphen nests in warm reed beds, constructing large pads of interwoven reeds on floating debris or just above water level. Both sexes incubate the 3–6 speckled eggs for 23–27 days. Chicks are precocious, feathered with downy black plumage, and are able to leave the nest shortly after hatching, though they may remain for a few days before venturing out.

The diet of the Western Swamphen includes tender shoots and vegetable-like matter found within its wetland habitat. It also consumes eggs, ducklings, small fish, and invertebrates such as snails. There are reports of these birds attacking large eels, though it is not confirmed if eels are a regular part of their diet. They are known to use one foot to bring food to their mouth rather than eating it on the ground.

The Western Swamphen is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. The species has experienced a recovery in numbers following conservation efforts, including habitat protection and reintroduction schemes. It was once listed as "Rare" by the European Union but has since been reclassified as "Localised". The largest population resides in Spain, where the species has shown significant population growth and range expansion.

7-11-2018 TANCAT DE PIPA, VALENCIA - WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)

The Western Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio, is a striking waterbird of the rail family Rallidae. Known also as the sultana bird, this species is adorned with vibrant plumage, large feet, and a distinctive red bill and frontal shield, making it a conspicuous presence in its natural habitat.

This chicken-sized bird can be identified by its bright plumage, which is typically purple-blue, and its red bill and frontal shield. The large feet of the Western Swamphen are another characteristic feature, aiding in its navigation through wetland vegetation.

The Western Swamphen is found in a variety of wetlands, including swamps, lake edges, and damp pastures. These environments provide the bird with the necessary resources for feeding and breeding.

The species is native to parts of the Western Palearctic, with populations in Spain, Portugal, southeastern France, Italy (notably Sardinia and Sicily), and northwestern Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Despite its somewhat clumsy flight, the Western Swamphen is capable of flying long distances. It is also an adept swimmer, particularly for a bird without webbed feet. The species is known for its loud, quick calls, which include bleating and hooting sounds that are quite unbird-like in tone. These calls are especially prevalent during the breeding season.

The Western Swamphen's vocalizations are distinctive and varied, including loud and quick bleating and hooting calls. These sounds are an integral part of the bird's social and breeding behaviors.

Breeding typically occurs seasonally, with timing correlating with peak rainfall or summer in temperate regions. The Western Swamphen nests in warm reed beds, constructing large pads of interwoven reeds on floating debris or just above water level. Both sexes incubate the 3–6 speckled eggs for 23–27 days. Chicks are precocious, feathered with downy black plumage, and are able to leave the nest shortly after hatching, though they may remain for a few days before venturing out.

The diet of the Western Swamphen includes tender shoots and vegetable-like matter found within its wetland habitat. It also consumes eggs, ducklings, small fish, and invertebrates such as snails. There are reports of these birds attacking large eels, though it is not confirmed if eels are a regular part of their diet. They are known to use one foot to bring food to their mouth rather than eating it on the ground.

The Western Swamphen is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. The species has experienced a recovery in numbers following conservation efforts, including habitat protection and reintroduction schemes. It was once listed as "Rare" by the European Union but has since been reclassified as "Localised". The largest population resides in Spain, where the species has shown significant population growth and range expansion.