Purple Swamphen

Scientific Name: Porphyrio porphyrio

Malay Name: Panglin Biasa

Chinese Name: 紫水鸡

Range: Widespread, from southern Europe to Africa, continental Asia, the Indonesian Archipelago, and Australia.

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: porphyrio, madagascariensis, seistanicus, poliocephalus, viridis, indicus, pulverulentus, melanopterus, pelewensis, melanotus, bellus, samoensis.

Local Subspecies: viridis

Size: 28-29 cm

Identification: Distinguished from Common Moorhen by bigger size, dark purplish blue overall plumage, red stout bill, frontal shield and legs, whitish undertail-coverts and blackish-brown wings. Juvenile resembles adult but has paler plumage and duller frontal shield.

Similar looking species: Common Moorhen, Black-backed Swamphen

Habitat: Freshwater wetlands.

Behaviour/Ecology: Often seen feeding in the open by picking up food material while walking on floating vegetation.

Local Status: Former resident and very rare visitor

Conservation Status: Least Concern (None)

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Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Note that records currently under review are also not displayed, and the list may not be a full list of records of this species in Singapore. For more details, check the database here.