Black-backed Swamphen

Scientific Name: Porphyrio indicus
Malay Name: Panglin Indonesia
Chinese Name: 黑背紫水鸡

Range:
Recorded in the Indonesian archipelago: Borneo, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Java, and Bali. Recent sightings in Peninsular Malaysia may relate to dispersing birds from this species.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 28-29 cm

Identification:
Similar to Grey-headed Swamphen, but has a reduced frontal shield, with Black-backed normally lacking the prominent raised ridges on the sides of the shield. This species also shows darker upperparts and head compared to Grey-headed Swamphen. Generally, Black-backed Swamphen has a dark purple head and back, which appear as dark or darker than the underparts, while Grey-headed's head color appears lighter than the rest of the plumage. Hybrids of the two species may occur but confirmatory evidence is lacking. Their taxonomic relationships are also being debated.

Habitat: Freshwater wetlands.

Behaviour/Ecology:

Local Status: Rare visitor

Featured articles:

• An Indonesian Archipelago Wishlist: Birds to Look Out For (Science)
• Bird List Revision for January 2018 (Revisions)
• Checklist Revision for August 2022 (Revisions)

Past accepted records in our database:

Past records, bar chart (see more bar charts):

Black-backed Swamphen, Java. Photo credit: Khaleb Yordan

Black-backed Swamphen, Changi Business Park, 20 July 2022. Photo credit: Mike Hooper