The black-backed swamphen is a species of swamphen occurring from southeast Asia to Sulawesi and Borneo. It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen, which it resembles, but has a large shield, black upperparts, and the side of the head is blackish.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Favors lowland wetlands including freshwater marshes, reedbeds, swamp edges, rice paddies, and floodplains. It readily occupies human-modified wetlands and irrigation ditches where emergent vegetation is dense. The species can occur in brackish margins and mangrove-fringed lagoons if there is suitable cover. Nests are usually built as platform structures concealed in thick reeds or sedges.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Formerly treated as part of the purple swamphen complex, the black-backed swamphen is now recognized as a distinct species. It uses its exceptionally long toes to walk on floating vegetation and to manipulate food. When alarmed, it often flicks its tail to flash bright white undertail coverts.
Temperament
social and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier
Social Behavior
Often found in pairs or small family groups that maintain territories within dense wetland vegetation. Cooperative behavior may occur, with group members helping defend the nest. Nests are built low over water among reeds or sedges, and both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud, harsh screeches, grunts, and honking calls that carry over wetlands. Calls intensify during territorial interactions and at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Glossy deep blue to purple underparts with contrasting black upperparts and blackish sides of the head; white undertail coverts are prominent when the tail is flicked.
Diet
Feeds primarily on shoots, leaves, and stems of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants such as reeds, sedges, and grasses. It also takes seeds and cultivated grains, especially rice when available. Animal matter includes snails, insects, small amphibians, and occasionally eggs or chicks of other birds.
Preferred Environment
Usually forages along the edges of dense emergent vegetation and on floating mats where it can walk using its long toes. Frequently visits rice fields, irrigation canals, and shallow marshes with abundant cover.
