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Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) Alternate name(s): "Purple Swamphen*", "Eastern Swamp-hen", "Bald Coot", "Purple Gallinule", "Purple Water-hen", "Black-backed Water-hen", "Macquarie-hen", "Redbill", "Purple Moorhen", "Purple Coot", "Puekeko*" Aboriginal name(s): Race "melanotus": "giyahng" [bundjalung]; "bulindal" [ngadjon]; "booringal", "goolima"; Race "bellus": "kwilom", "koolema", "moolar" Size: 44-48 cm; wing span 70-100 cm Body mass: 0.7-1.3 kg Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.88

Australia: Family Group 7 Family Group 7 Table Dusky Moorhen Australasian (Purple) Swamphen Black-tailed Native-hen Tasmanian Native-hen Pale-vented Bush-hen Eurasian Coot White-browed Crake Spotless Crake Baillon's Crake Australian Spotted Crake Lewin's Rail Buff-banded Rail Red-necked Crake Chestnut Rail White-breasted Waterhen Lord Howe Woodhen Australian Bustard Brolga Sarus Crane Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Australasian Swamphens are relatively large waterhens with purple-black plumage. The front of nominate race "melanotus" is purple, while race "bellus" has an iridescent cobalt front. Wings, rump, vent and uppertail of all races are black. The facial shield and bill are red. The legs and feet are orange. The undertail coverts are white. In-flight the legs often dangle conspicuously under the tail. Juveniles have duller colours than adults and no red on bill or facial shield yet. Twitcher's tip The difference between an Australasian Swamphen and a Dusky Moorhen is that the former has one white spot, while the latter has two on its undertail. This provides birdwatchers with an easy method to distinguish in particular immature birds of the two species.

Taxonomy, classification See Australasian Swamphen at Wikipedia . Click here for classification information Australasian Swamphens have now been given full species status and are no longer considered to be a race of the former Purple Swamphen. Australasian Swamphens used to be treated as two races of the Purple Swamphen, a global species with many different races found on different continents. This super-species has now been split into 6 species (see e.g. Wikipedia).

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Australasian (Purple) Swamphen is available HERE . By the new definition, Australasian (Purple) Swamphens are found in eastern Indonesia, the Moluccas, Aru and Kai Islands, as well as New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. In Australia there are two races of Australasian Swamphens. Race "melanotus" is found mostly in the eastern half of the Australian continent, including Tasmania. Most common in the South-East and along the East coast, they disperse into other parts of the eastern half of the continent (notably into the semi-arid interior) only after substantial rainfalls, when there are mudflats for them to live in. They are not found in the southern half of the NT, the south-western part of SA and most of WA (except the Kimberley and a small stretch of the North-West coast). Race "bellus" is endemic to the south-western corner of WA. Australasian Swamphens have a preference for habitats around swamps and marshes, often with high reeds, and in ephemeral wetlands, e.g. inundated grassland. They are also commonly found in urban parks and on lawns and sports grounds. Where to look? How to find this species? Australasian Swamphens are usually found around fresh water, see above. They are the tallest of the various species of water hens. In addition, they are the only species of waterhen that will regularly venture out into open terrain, such as e.g. lawns and sports grounds, where they often feed in large numbers.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "melanotus" Australasian Swamphens, race "melanotus", are a common sight along water edges of wetlands in northern and eastern Australia. In the Narrabri region they are seen by us regularly around permanent water, for example at Narrabri Lake. We also came across some of them in Canberra, ACT, in 2005 and near Uralla, northern NSW, in the same year, and in many other locations in inland and coastal NSW and QLD, in particular also, in large numbers, in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009. Special access to the wetlands kindly granted by the owners of Capricorn Resort is most gratefully acknowledged. R. Plumtree reports spotting Australasian Swamphens, race "melanotus", at Hollands Landing, Lake Victoria, East Gippsland, VIC, in October 2014. M. Eaton reports finding Australasian Swamphens, race "melanotus", at the Botanical Garden, Melbourne, VIC, in April 2022. Race "bellus" J. Greaves reports seeing Australasian Swamphens, race "bellus", regularly around wetlands in Perth, WA. C. Pears reports finding Australasian Swamphens, race "bellus", regularly in wetlands in Perth, WA, such as Lake Monger, Lake Claremont and Lake Herdsman.

Photos

Race "melanotus"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Close-up frontal view of an adult Australasian Swamphen
[Cattai Wetlands, Coopernook, NSW, October 2023]

Close-up frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen
[Cattai Wetlands, Coopernook, NSW, October 2023]

Near-frontal portrait of an Australasian Swamphen
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2012]

Near-frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Near-lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Garden, Melbourne, VIC, April 2022]

Close-up near-lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Carrara, Gold Coast, QLD, June 2006]

Lateral portrait of an Australasian Swamphen
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2012]

Close-up lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen
[Dunn's Swamp, Wollemi NP, NSW, October 2016]

Close-up lateral view from above of an Australasian Swamphen looking towards the observer
[Rockhampton, QLD, July 2009]

Lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen wading through shallow water
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2009]

Lateral view of a preening Australasian Swamphen
[Dunn's Swamp, Wollemi NP, NSW, October 2016]

Lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen looking backwards
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Close-up near-dorsal view of an Australasian Swamphen (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Batemans Bay, NSW, April 2023]

Near-dorsal view of an Australasian Swamphen
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2011]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

This immature Australasian Swamphen has adult plumage, but the shield and bill have not turned red yet
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Carrara, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2015]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Australasian Swamphen looking sideways
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2012]

Lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen chick on its way somewhere... (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2015]

Lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen chick racing to get back into the cover of nearby reeds
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2012]

Partly obscured lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen chick
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2024]

Partly obscured lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen with its chick
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Here the Australasian Swamphen chick is being fed
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Two very young Australasian Swamphen chicks in plain view (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Eastlakes golf course, Sydney, NSW, October 2013]

Race "bellus"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Close-up frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen feeding on the soft parts of a reed plant (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, June 2026]

Frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen extending its wings (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, May 2021]

Close-up near-frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, January 2015]

Near-lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen extending its wings (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, May 2021]

Close-up lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Close-up lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Dorsal view of an Australasian Swamphen (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, March 2025]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of an immature Australasian Swamphen (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, March 2025]

Close-up frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, October 2024]

Near-frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close-up near-frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, October 2024]

Near-lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen with a chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close-up lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen chick looking backwards while resting (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, October 2024]

Close-up lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, October 2024]

Lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Near-dorsal view of an Australasian Swamphen chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Breeding information

Breeding season: All year

Eggs: 3 - 8

Incubation period: 23 - 29 days

Fledging age: ca. 42 days

Given the right conditions (and depending on geographical latitude), Australasian Swamphens can breed any time of the year, often more than one brood per year.

Nest building: ?

Incubation: Female & male

Dependent care: Female & male

Australasian Swamphens mating - the difficult part is to get on top...
[Mother of Ducks Lagoon NR, Guyra, NSW, March 2012]

... the rest, once you are in balance, is easier
[Mother of Ducks Lagoon NR, Guyra, NSW, March 2012]

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Reeds, rushes, grass stems

Height above ground: N/A

The nest is usually well hidden in a dense clump of reeds.

Australasian Swamphen at its nest with at least two small chicks inside; a third is already wandering about at the lower left (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Carrara, Gold Coast, QLD, November 2014]

Close-up lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen breaking off pieces of paperbark for its nest
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, September 2022]

Close-up lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen collecting pieces of paperbark for its nest
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, September 2022]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 52 x 35 mm

Colour: Mid-brown, with greyish dark-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Vagrant/dispersive

Elementary unit: Flock

Australasian Swamphes are primarily waders. When disturbed they will either vanish into dense foliage/reeds or fly away somewhat clumsily. They are not often seen swimming.

Near-dorsal view of an Australasian Swamphen paddling away from the photographer
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Australasian Swamphen trying to attract the observer's attention and thereby lure the potentail threat away from its chicks (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Carrara, Gold Coast, QLD, November 2014]

Although often seen squabbling, Australasian Swamphens can live together in large numbers - see photo below.

Flock of Australasian Swamphens in reeds in shallow water
[Wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, QLD, July 2009; see credits page for details]

About 50 Australasian Swamphens foraging on a sports ground
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]

Lateral view of an Australasian Swamphen trying to impress the by displaying the white patch feathers conspicuously
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2012]

Australasian Swamphen's typical tail flick - tail down (photo courtesy of A. Ross Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, December 2013]

Australasian Swamphen's typical tail flick - tail up (photo courtesy of A. Ross Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, December 2013]

Australasian Swamphen using its foot to hold on to its next meal (photo courtesy of A. Ross Taylor)
[Botanical Gardens, Gold Coast, QLD, October 2019]

This Australasian Swamphen was observed chasing away an Australian Raven that was also trying to scavenge food from tourists
[Dunn's Swamp, Wollemi NP, NSW, October 2016]

Food, Diet

Australasian Swamphens feed mostly on young shoots of reeds and other aquatic plants; they are also known to feed on grassland, e.g. in urban parks around lakes, and also take small animals.

Frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen chewing on the stem of an aquatic plant (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, August 2024]

Near-frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen with part of an aquatic plant in its bill
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2012]

Near-dorsal view of an Australasian Swamphen taking grass seeds
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Near-frontal view of an Australasian Swamphen feeding on grass on a lawn (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Garden, Melbourne, VIC, April 2022]

Adult Australasian Swamphen feeding its juvenile youngster the soft, white part of an aquatic plant, which it has specifically separated from the rest of the plant (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Robina, Gold Coast, QLD, May 2015]

Close-up near-dorsal view of an Australasian Swamphen picking up what looks like a fig (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, October 2024]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

purphen_me_20240620_4.m4a	australis (N QLD)	Alarm calls?	© ME
purphen_me_20240620_3.m4a	australis (N QLD)	Annoyed/alarm calls?	© ME
purphen_me_20240620.m4a	australis (N QLD)	Annoyed/alarm calls?	© ME
purphen_me_20240620_2.m4a	australis (N QLD)	Annoyed/alarm calls?	© ME
purphen_20160725.mp3	australis (NW NSW)	Annoyed calls(?)	© MD
purphen_20211031.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Fight over feeding rights	© MD
purphen_cp_20260621.m4a	bellus (SW WA)	?	© CP

We have also recorded the wing beat of an Australian Swamphen.

purphen_20211018.m4a

australis (NW NSW)

Short flight into reeds

© MD

More Australian (Purple) Swamphen sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.