These large gallinules were quite common in wetland areas but we also saw them in open fields. Locally known as
the Pukeko, the Australasian Swamphen has been split from the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) following
Garcia-R. and Trewick (2015). Each of the six previously recognized subspecies groups has been elevated to species
rank:
- Western Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio, which is monotypic;
- Black-backed Swamphen Porphyrio indicus, which includes subspecies viridis and indicus;
- African Swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis, which is monotypic;
- Philippine Swamphen Porphyrio pulverulentus, which is monotypic;
- Gray-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus, which includes subspecies caspius, seistanicus, and poliocephalus; and
- Australasian Swamphen Porphyrio melanotus, which includes subspecies pelewensis, melanopterus, bellus, melanotus, and samoensis.
This split is recognized by Clements/eBird and IOC, but not by H&M4 who maintain traditional taxonomy following the biological species concept. Of these the Australasian Swamphen has a relatively small frontal shield, and blackish upperparts. New Zealand birds are the nominate race, P. m. melanotus. It differs from P. m. bellus of SW Australia by lacking its blue throat and chest and in having a more extensive frontal shield. Other smaller subspecies occur in Samoa, New Guinea and Indonesia. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
Dey, C.; Jamieson, I. 2013. Pukeko. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz
Garcia-R, J. C. & Trewick, S. A. 2015. Dispersal and speciation in purple swamphens (Rallidae: Porphyrio). Auk 132(1): 140-155. [PDF]
Marchant, S.; Higgins, P.J. (eds) 1993. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds. Vol. 2, raptors to lapwings. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Ripley, S. D., Lansdowne, J. F. & Olson S. L. (1977) Rails of the world: a monograph of the family Rallidae. Godine.
Taylor, B. (2017). Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53681 on 28 March 2017).