Australasian Swamphen

Porphyrio melanotus

Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) — Cranes & Rails of Australia & Oceania.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 17 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of Indonesia Birds of New Zealand Birds of Australian Capital Territory Birds of New South Wales Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Queensland Birds of South Australia Birds of Tasmania Birds of Victoria

By family

Rails, Crakes & Coots of Australia Rails, Crakes & Coots of Indonesia Rails, Crakes & Coots of New Zealand Rails, Crakes & Coots of New South Wales Rails, Crakes & Coots of Northern Territory Rails, Crakes & Coots of Queensland Rails, Crakes & Coots of Tasmania

See what's near you right now

The Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Australia & Oceania and Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 774 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
Genus Porphyrio
Species melanotus

Where it lives

Widespread

Quick facts

Weight: 774 g
Diet: Aquatic plant-eaters
Family: Rallidae
Order: Gruiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Australasian Swamphen feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Australasian Swamphen is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania and Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers AU, PO widespread.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 774 g, with a wing length of about 23.5 cm and a tail of around 8.6 cm.

Songs & calls

Australasian Swamphen — Call

Recorded by Tom Cooney Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Australasian Swamphen?

The Australasian Swamphen is a large bird that weighs around 774 g.

Where does the Australasian Swamphen live?

The Australasian Swamphen is found across Australia & Oceania and Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering AU, PO widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Australasian Swamphen belong to?

The Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.

What does the Australasian Swamphen eat?

The Australasian Swamphen feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Does the Australasian Swamphen migrate?

The Australasian Swamphen is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

What sound does the Australasian Swamphen make?

1 real field recording of the Australasian Swamphen — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.