African Pure Swamphen/Grootkoningriethaan

Image credit: David-Dawie Jacobs – 7 Years Ago

African Pure Swamphen/Grootkoningriethaan.
This colourful bird prefers thick reed beds in flooded areas and is not often seen in the open – not surprisingly kept as decorative birds by ancient Romans.

When seen in good light, shows spectacular purple, green, and pale blue coloration.

In dull light, looks dark, but still shows red bill and feet and white undertail.

Found in freshwater and brackish wetlands with thick vegetation, mainly at low and middle elevations.

Gives a loud trumpeting call. Coloration similar to Allen’s Gallinule, but chunkier and larger, with a much larger bill.

Larger than Eurasian Moorhen, with brighter coloration, red legs, and no yellow tip to the bill.

Captured at Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary.

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