Grey-headed Swamphen

Porphyrio poliocephalus

Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) — Cranes & Rails of Europe & Northern Asia.

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 Germany Birds of the United Kingdom Birds of Indonesia Birds of India Birds of Malaysia Birds of Thailand Birds of the United States Birds of England Birds of Cambridgeshire Birds of Cumbria

By family

Rails, Crakes & Coots of the United Kingdom Rails, Crakes & Coots of Indonesia Rails, Crakes & Coots of India Rails, Crakes & Coots of Malaysia Rails, Crakes & Coots of Thailand Rails, Crakes & Coots of the United States Rails, Crakes & Coots of England

See what's near you right now

The Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 774 g.

Where it fits

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

Where it lives

Middle East and Indian subcontinent to southern China, northern Thailand, Andaman and Nicobar Is. and southern Myanmar to central and southern Indochina to the Malay Pen.

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 Grey-headed Swamphen feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Behaviour

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

Migration

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

The Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers PAL, OR Middle East and Indian subcontinent to s China, n Thailand, Andaman and Nicobar Is. and s Myanmar to c and s Indochina to the Malay Pen.

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

Grey-headed Swamphen — Call

Recorded by Oscar Campbell Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Grey-headed Swamphen?

The Grey-headed Swamphen is a large bird that weighs around 774 g.

Where does the Grey-headed Swamphen live?

The Grey-headed Swamphen is found across Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering PAL, OR Middle East and Indian subcontinent to s China, n Thailand, Andaman and Nicobar Is. and s Myanmar to c and s Indochina to the Malay Pen, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Grey-headed Swamphen belong to?

The Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.

What does the Grey-headed Swamphen eat?

The Grey-headed Swamphen feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Does the Grey-headed Swamphen migrate?

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

What sound does the Grey-headed Swamphen make?

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