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Australasian Swamphen
Porphyrio melanotus Temminck, 1820
Rallidae — Rails, Crakes & Coots
Australasian Swamphen, Porphyrio melanotus, is a widespread breeding bird across Australasia and the Pacific Ocean, with a range that includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and parts of eastern Indonesia. It belongs to the rail family in the order Gruiformes. In New Zealand it is also called the pūkeko. The bird is notable for its blue-purple plumage, red frontal shield and red legs. It lives in wetlands and other low-lying damp places, and also uses pastures, roadside verges and farmland. It has short wings and a long, strong bill, suited to a semi-aquatic life.
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae — Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Breeding range
- Australasia, Pacific Ocean: widespread
