These pictures were taken about 3 weeks - ie about half a lifetime - ago, on what turned out to be one of my last local trips before such things became restricted.
I know that I have posted pictures of this species - possibly this actual bird if the truth be told - before, but I really like them.
The Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) is now considered a full species, where as in the past it was thought to be a sub-species of the more widespread Purple Swamphen.
Given the size of the beak, feet and attitude I am glad they are not larger. Clearly they once were dinosaurs.
I know that I have posted pictures of this species - possibly this actual bird if the truth be told - before, but I really like them.
The Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) is now considered a full species, where as in the past it was thought to be a sub-species of the more widespread Purple Swamphen.
Given the size of the beak, feet and attitude I am glad they are not larger. Clearly they once were dinosaurs.
As ever (possibly more than ever) , you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below - and also as ever, please feel free to share WBW with other bloggers.
Stay safe, and stay home. SM
For sure they are dinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteI love how they hold grass with their feet and eat it :)
Once dinosaurs, you say. Like some of your politicians I might add. Or perhaps that is an insult to dinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteGreat series on the Australasian Swamphen. It very similar to the Purple Gallinule we see in the US. Take care,stay well. Enjoy your week ahead.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteyes, it is quite easy to let the mind picture the ancient critters... YAM xx
Great pictures and very good colors for this bird with sunlight.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Great colors and detail!
ReplyDeleteThe colours and feet! Wow. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAs a ringer I know those feet can do serious damage.
ReplyDeleteStewart, while I ring in the garden normally, there are so few birds in a typical suburban garden nowadays it is often not worth the effort for low returns. March is also a very quiet time here.
The African Jacana has big feet but those look even bigger. Lovely set of photos. I miss not seeing water birds, there is nowhere close to us (even in normal times) that I can go to.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and keep well, Diane
I think I remember this guy..Striking coloring..Dinosaurs for sure..Stay safe..Enjoy the rest of your week..
ReplyDeleteTo dream of birding trips again. For now, it's local challenges.
ReplyDeleteWe have the Gray-headed variety, thanks to a local aviculturist who let them wander freely and they now spread over most of Florida. Interestingly, they have prehensile feet, pulling up the spike-rush to their beaks like parrots as they strip out the tender roots and shoots. The Florida wildlife agency conducted an eradication campaign about 12 years ago. They killed over 3000 but it did not make a dent in their increasing population.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
ReplyDeleteI love this bird... Nice pictures... Regards..
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this completely new to me bird. I am astonished by its feet!
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart, great photos of this beautiful bird. Stay safe. Greetings Carolin e
ReplyDeleteStewart, I guess I could have Googled this, but (I prefer hearing it from you) is this "Swamp Hen" any relation to a "Coot"? I seem to recall that when in Aruba searching for birds near a brackish water area, I saw something similar and a gentleman who was also wandering told me what I was looking at was a "Coot"....:)jp
ReplyDeleteHi there - I've set up a reply function on my blog - so I hope this will work! Yes, coots and the swamphens are related - they are both in the Rail family - so they are related! SM
DeletePiękne zdjęcia! Gratuluję obserwacji. Ja fotografuję teraz tylko ptaki w ogrodzie z marnym skutkiem.
ReplyDelete