purple swamphen
(Porphyrio porphyrio)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Porphyrio porphyrio is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. Purple swamphen were introduced to the United States by escaping enclosures in Broward county, Florida.
Life Cycle
Resembling a large purple chicken, adult Purple Swamphens weigh approximately 1.5 lbs (660 grams), have a wingspan of 35-40 in. (90-100 cm), and are 18 in. (45-50 cm) in length. Identifiable from native the purple gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) due to it having reddish legs instead of yellow legs as well as a solid red beak instead of a yellow-tipped beak of the gallinule. P. porphyrio are communal birds that can live in flocks of 50 or more individuals. Flocks include several breeding and non-breeding males and females. Breeding females lay 3-7 eggs in a communal platform nest made of vegetation. All individuals share breeding activities (e.g., incubation, building the nest, caring for chicks). Incubation length is approximately 23-27 days with chicks capable of leaving the nest immediately.
Distribution
P. porphyrio are established in Florida.
Control Efforts
Little is known about the impacts of P. porphyrio.
http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1702
http://cescos.fau.edu/biology/gawliklab/research/purpleswamphen.html
Porphyrio porphyrio is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. Purple swamphen were introduced to the United States by escaping enclosures in Broward county, Florida.
Life Cycle
Resembling a large purple chicken, adult Purple Swamphens weigh approximately 1.5 lbs (660 grams), have a wingspan of 35-40 in. (90-100 cm), and are 18 in. (45-50 cm) in length. Identifiable from native the purple gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) due to it having reddish legs instead of yellow legs as well as a solid red beak instead of a yellow-tipped beak of the gallinule. P. porphyrio are communal birds that can live in flocks of 50 or more individuals. Flocks include several breeding and non-breeding males and females. Breeding females lay 3-7 eggs in a communal platform nest made of vegetation. All individuals share breeding activities (e.g., incubation, building the nest, caring for chicks). Incubation length is approximately 23-27 days with chicks capable of leaving the nest immediately.
Distribution
P. porphyrio are established in Florida.
Control Efforts
Little is known about the impacts of P. porphyrio.
http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1702
http://cescos.fau.edu/biology/gawliklab/research/purpleswamphen.html
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Aves |
| Order: Gruiformes |
| Family: Rallidae |
| Genus: Porphyrio |
| Porphyrio porphyrio |
References
Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.
Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.