Parques de Portugal

<p> <em>Porphyrio porphyrio</em>&nbsp; (Linnaeus, 1758)</p>

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  • Purple gallinule

  • Porphyrio porphyrio  (Linnaeus, 1758)

  • Rallidae

  • The Purple gallinule is a waterfowl with an appealing plumage, of a strong dark blue and bright purple which contrasts with the red found on its robust beak, the frontal plate and the long legs, and with the white spot on the tail. The young have a pale colouration. It can measure up to 50 cm long.

  • Ria Formosa Nature Park

    Paul de Arzila Nature Reserve

    Estuário do Tejo Nature Reserve

    Estuário do Sado Nature Reserve

    Lagoas de Santo André e da Sancha Nature Reserve

    Sapal de C. Marim e V. R. Sto. António Nature Reserve

    Paul da Tornada Local Nature Reserve

  • Lisboa e Vale do Tejo

    Algarve

    Centro

    Alentejo

  • Vulnerable

  • The purple swanphen inhabits moist areas with slow or standing waters, such as bogs, ponds, marshlands and reservoirs, with dense marsh vegetation, mainly cattail, bulrush and reed. It was once very threatened in our country, today it is easily seen mainly in some areas of the south. It is represented on the symbol of the Natural Park of Ria Formosa.

  • All year long

  • The purple swanphen has an omnivorous diet, feeding on aquatic plants (such as cattail, bulrush and reed), invertebrates and small vertebrates. It obtains its food in areas with dense vegetation, using its beak to pull the plants. 

  • The Portuguese population of this species is estimated to be between 120 and 200 couples.