AFRICAN PURPLE SWAMPHEN
Porphyrio madagascariensis
Grootkoningriethaan (Afrikaans)
HABITAT
Found throughout the province of KwaZulu-Natal in reedy swamps and marshes. It prefers
Bullrushes (Typha) and sedges (Cyperus) rather than reeds (Phragmites) but is found in all three
types of wetland vegetation.
TYPE
This is a largish, brightly coloured wetland bird that is usually solitary or in small
groups. It is mainly deep blue with greenish colouration on the back. The eyes are red as are the
frontal shield and bill. Its legs and feet are light red. It clambers over and under vegetation on
its large feet and forages in shallow water. It flys heavily with dangling feet.
FOOD
It feeds on roots, tubers, stems, flowers, grain, insects, young birds and eggs as well as
carrion.
BREEDING
It nests between August and April in KwaZulu-Natal, building a large bowl of reeds, rushes
and grass on floating islands up to one meter above the surface. It can lay from 2 to 6 eggs which
are a creamy white in colour spotted with brown and grey.
STATUS
A fairly common resident.
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