About Porphyrio porphyrio madagascariensis (Latham, 1802)
The western swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is a swamphen species in the Rallidae rail family, and one of the six recognized purple swamphen species. This chicken-sized bird has large feet, bright plumage, a red bill, and a red frontal shield, making it easily recognizable within its native range. It was formerly classified as the nominate subspecies of the purple swamphen, but is now accepted as a distinct species. The western swamphen inhabits wetlands across Spain, which hosts its largest population, Portugal, southeastern France, Italy (specifically Sardinia and Sicily), and northwestern Africa (including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia). This bird favors wet areas with high rainfall, such as swamps, lake edges, and damp pastures. Western swamphens often live in pairs or larger communal groups. They clamber through reeds to feed on tender shoots and plant matter. They have also been recorded eating eggs, ducklings, small fish, and invertebrates like snails. There are documented reports of them attacking large eels, but ornithologists do not agree on whether western swamphens actually eat eels. They commonly use a single foot to bring food to their mouth instead of feeding on the ground. In areas where they are not hunted or disturbed, western swamphens can become quite tame and are easily observed in towns and cities.
