Black-backed Swamphen

Porphyrio indicus

Black-backed Swamphen (Porphyrio indicus) — Cranes & Rails of South & Southeast Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Indonesia Birds of Japan Birds of Malaysia Birds of the Philippines

By family

Rails, Crakes & Coots of Indonesia Rails, Crakes & Coots of Japan Rails, Crakes & Coots of Malaysia Rails, Crakes & Coots of the Philippines

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The Black-backed Swamphen (Porphyrio indicus) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 774 g.

Where it fits

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

Where it lives

Sumatra, Java, southeastern Borneo, southwestern Sulawesi and southern Philippines

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 Black-backed Swamphen feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Behaviour

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

Migration

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

The Black-backed Swamphen (Porphyrio indicus) is a species of bird in the Rallidae family, part of the order Gruiformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU Sumatra, Java, se Borneo, sw Sulawesi and s Philippines.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 774 g, with a wing length of about 23 cm and a tail of around 8 cm.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Black-backed Swamphen?

The Black-backed Swamphen is a large bird that weighs around 774 g.

Where does the Black-backed Swamphen live?

The Black-backed Swamphen is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU Sumatra, Java, se Borneo, sw Sulawesi and s Philippines, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Black-backed Swamphen belong to?

The Black-backed Swamphen (Porphyrio indicus) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.

What does the Black-backed Swamphen eat?

The Black-backed Swamphen feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Does the Black-backed Swamphen migrate?

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