wildlife

Purple Swamphen — Porphyrio porphyrio

identification

You are not going to miss this bird. It is large — crow-sized or bigger — with deep blue-purple plumage that catches the light differently depending on angle. The bill is enormous and bright red, with a matching red frontal shield.

behavior — what i've actually watched

The long toes are for walking on lily pads and floating vegetation without sinking. The foot-as-hand behavior is the most interesting thing I've watched this bird do. It will reach down, grab a reed stem, bring it up to the bill, and strip or eat it while standing on the other foot.