The grey-headed swamphen is a species of swamphen occurring from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand. It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen, but was elevated to full species status in 2015; today the purple swamphen is considered a superspecies and each of its six subspecies groups are designated full species.
Region
Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, southern China, and northern Mainland Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Middle East through Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to southern China and northern Thailand. It inhabits freshwater marshes, lakes with emergent vegetation, reservoirs, and rice fields, and it adapts well to human‑modified wetlands. Prefers dense stands of reeds, cattails, sedges, and lotus where it can feed and nest. Generally avoids fast‑flowing rivers and extensive dry areas. Introduced and established in parts of southern Florida.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This large rail favors dense marshes and reedbeds, often walking atop floating vegetation with outsized toes. It was split from the purple swamphen complex in 2015 and is now treated as a distinct species. Birds readily exploit rice paddies and urban wetlands and can form noisy, conspicuous groups. An introduced population is established in southern Florida, USA.
Porphyrio poliocephalus - MHNT
Temperament
wary but bold and territorial
Flight Pattern
short, labored flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often in small family parties or loose groups, especially around rich feeding areas. Nests are bulky platforms or shallow bowls woven from reeds, placed over water among dense emergent plants. Cooperative breeding with helpers may occur, and pairs defend nesting territories vigorously.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, nasal screeches, grunts, and honks, often given in series at dawn and dusk. Alarm calls are sharp, carrying kek-kek notes, and groups may chorus when disturbed.
Plumage
Satin-like purple-blue body with a contrasting grey head and neck; upperparts can show blue-green gloss. Under-tail coverts are bright white and usually fanned when alarmed.
Diet
Feeds primarily on aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, including shoots of reeds, cattails, water lilies, and tender grasses. Also takes seeds, grains, and cultivated rice when available. Opportunistically consumes small invertebrates, snails, eggs, and occasionally small vertebrates. Often strips stems to reach pith and may hold food with one foot while feeding.
Preferred Environment
Edges of marshes, reedbeds, lotus ponds, and shallow lakes with abundant emergent vegetation. Frequently forages in rice paddies and canals and will venture onto lawns near wetlands.
