The Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) is a fascinating species of bird found in tropical and temperate wetlands across southern Asia, from Pakistan to Indonesia. Also known as the Grey-headed Purple Swamphen or Grey-headed Swamp Hen, this large, colorful bird has a number of interesting features that make it stand out. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the identification, distribution, habitat, diet, behavior, breeding, and conservation status of the Grey-headed Swamphen.
Identification
The Grey-headed Swamphen is a relatively large swamphen, measuring 40–49 cm (16–19 in) long with a wingspan of 60–73 cm (24–29 in). As their name suggests, adults have a distinctive grey head, neck, breast and mantle. Their upperparts are darkened, with some greenish or bluish iridescence on the back and wings. The rump and tail are blackish. The underparts below the breast are a deep purple-blue. The bill is red with a yellow tip, and the legs and feet are pinkish-red. Juveniles have browner plumage overall with a greyer head and underparts.
Both sexes look alike. The Grey-headed Swamphen can be confused with the Purple Swamphen, which has an all-purple head and underparts. It differs from other swamphens in the region by the distinctive grey head.
Calls
The Grey-headed Swamphen has a variety of loud calls used for communication. Common calls include deep honking and pig-like grunting noises. They also produce trumpeting calls, especially when taking off in alarm.
Distribution and Habitat
The Grey-headed Swamphen has a wide distribution across southern Asia, from Pakistan eastwards through India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, throughout Southeast Asia, and south to Java and Bali in Indonesia.
This species inhabits freshwater wetlands at elevations up to 1,400 m (4,600 ft). Typical habitat includes the densely vegetated marshes around lakes and rivers, flooded grasslands, swamps, ponds, canals, paddies, and irrigated lands. Grey-headed Swamphens favor wetlands with tall, dense stands of aquatic vegetation where they can find cover. They avoid fast-flowing streams and rivers.
Population and Conservation Status
The Grey-headed Swamphen has a very large range and global population estimated at 100,000 to 1 million individuals. Although their numbers have declined in some parts of their range due to wetland habitat loss, their overall population remains stable. For these reasons, the Grey-headed Swamphen is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Diet and Feeding
The Grey-headed Swamphen is an omnivorous bird with a diverse diet. They feed on a wide variety of plant material and insects, crustaceans, fish, frogs, worms, snails and other aquatic invertebrates.
Their powerful bill allows them to pull up and dig through wetland vegetation to forage on roots, shoots, seeds and plant stems. They also graze on algae and aquatic plants at the water’s surface. Insects, larvae and other small prey are gleaned from floating vegetation or the water’s edge.
| Food source | Examples |
|---|---|
| Plant material | Seeds, shoots, stems, leaves, roots of wetland plants |
| Aquatic vegetation | Algae, aquatic plants |
| Insects and invertebrates | Caterpillars, dragonfly larvae, worms, snails |
| Other prey | Small fish, frogs, crustaceans |
Grey-headed Swamphens often feed in small groups or family parties. They sometimes stick their whole head underwater to reach food sources on the bottom.
Behavior and Breeding
The Grey-headed Swamphen is a highly social and generally tame bird. They are usually encountered in small flocks or family groups of 3 to 15 birds.
Daily Activities
During the day, groups move about slowly on foot through shallow wetlands as they forage. If disturbed, they prefer to run rather than fly. At night, Grey-headed Swamphens roost in dense reedbeds or low bushes over the water.
Breeding
The breeding season is triggered by the onset of monsoon rains and varies across their range, generally occurring from June to October. Grey-headed Swamphens build large nest mounds up to 1 m (3 ft) wide and 30 cm (1 ft) high above the water, concealed in dense vegetation.
The mound is constructed from stems, sticks and living plants woven together, with a cup-shaped nest hollowed out on top, lined with finer grasses. Both sexes help build the nest over the course of about 1 week.
| Breeding Behavior | Description |
|---|---|
| Nesting period | June to October |
| Nest type | Large mound nest built from vegetation |
| Clutch size | 4-6 eggs |
| Incubation | 23-27 days |
| Fledging period | 50-55 days |
The female lays a clutch of 4-6 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 23-27 days until hatching. The precocial downy chicks leave the nest within a day and are fed and protected by the parents for around 2 months until fledging.
Adaptations
The Grey-headed Swamphen shows a number of behavioral and physical adaptations for its wetland lifestyle:
– Strong legs and toes allow them to walk easily over floating vegetation. Extra long toes help distribute their weight.
– Plumage coloration provides camouflage in dense wetland vegetation.
– Their toes have only partial webbing which allows them to run and walk on mud as well as swim.
– A powerful bill adapted for digging roots, pulling up plants, and capturing prey.
– Very territorial and aggressive in defending wetland breeding territories.
– Chicks have cryptic plumage to hide in vegetation and can swim and dive right after hatching.
– Builds mound nests above water which protect eggs and chicks from flooding.
Vocalizations
The Grey-headed Swamphen has an extensive repertoire of loud honks, grunts, hoots, and trumpeting calls used to communicate with mates and defend territories. Different calls signal different types of threats and maintain group cohesion.
Relationship to Humans
– Grey-headed Swamphens adapt well to human-altered wetlands like flooded agricultural fields and areas with artificial wetlands. As long as there is adequate vegetation for nesting and cover, they may thrive.
– They are fairly tolerant of human presence and will often visit parklands and gardens if water is provided.
– Sometimes considered agricultural pests as they may damage crops like rice when feeding.
– Poisoning and hunting pressure occurs in some parts of their range due to crop damage. Many are shot or captured for food.
– Loss of wetlands throughout their range has caused local declines. Protection of remaining wetlands is critical for their conservation.
Conclusion
In summary, the Grey-headed Swamphen is a fascinating wetland bird renowned for its bright plumage, eclectic diet, social behavior and loud vocalizations. As a species well-adapted to tropical and subtropical wetlands across southern Asia, conservation of these watery habitats is key to maintaining thriving populations of the Grey-headed Swamphen into the future. Their unique appearance and charismatic nature makes them a popular bird for wetland tourism and birdwatching across their range.
