Western Swamphen

Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) (0, 1)

Photo © Rob Stonehouse

STATUS

Africa, Eurasia, Orient and Australasia. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known as Porphyrio or Gallinule. The ‘Purple Swamphen’ complex was split into six species by the IOC in July 2015, three of which could possibly reach Britain. The other two being the Grey-headed Swamphen P. poliocephalus and African Swamphen P. madagascariensis.

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RECORDS

1.0). 2016 Suffolk Minsmere RSPB, 2CY+, 31st July to 5th August, photo; also in Lincolnshire.

(British Birds 109: plate 296; C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 573, plate 304; R. Harvey, British Birds 111: 512-518, plates 339 & 340; BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 241).

1.1). 2016 Lincolnshire Alkborough Flats, 2CY+, 30th August to 23rd November, photo; same as Suffolk.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 573; BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 241).

1.2). 2017 Lincolnshire Alkborough Flats, 3CY+, 4th January, photo; presumed same as 2016 Lincolnshire.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 568).