Tags
birding, birds, birdwatching, British birds, New Zealand birds, Peruvian birds, Pukeko, Purple Gallinule
The British moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) looks very familiar to me as we have a similar bird in my native New Zealand, and I remember also being surprised during a visit to the Amazon jungle when I lived in Peru to see a bird I recognised from home – their purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) looks remarkably like the New Zealand pukeko (Porphyrio melanotus melanotus). All three birds make the same high-pitched squeak and have that same cheeky strut, continuously flashing their white undertail as they sashay along, though there are some colour differences. The beaks of each are different, and the plumage of the moorhen seems much less vibrant to my eye.
The moorhen (below) is widespread throughout Britain, second only to the mallard in the extent of its habitable range. Prior to 1954, when nest predation was made illegal, eggs were regularly taken for food – apparently they go well with bacon! The bird itself can be shot and eaten during the season, though I’m not sure how palatable their strong dark meat would be, and I really can’t imagine how anyone would want to kill or eat a bird that is so pretty and so highly entertaining.
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Viv Braznell said:
And here in southern Thailand we have Porphyrio porphyrio – Our version of the Purple Swamp Hen
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sconzani said:
Such an international bird … just like you, Viv! 🙂
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theresagreen said:
Ha ha, interesting thought! The gallinules, or Purple Swamp Hens as they are known now are only in the South of Spain so are not that numerous. I was lucky to have some close by to where I lived. I wrote about them here if you are interested – https://theresagreen2.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/purple-gallinule-or-swamp-hen/
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sconzani said:
Heading there for a read now, Theresa, thanks.
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sconzani said:
Theresa, I’m going to do a very short follow up blog on this, as a friend has sent me a photo of the local swamp hen in Thailand. And I’d like to link to your blog, if you don’t mind?
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theresagreen said:
I’m very happy for you to link to my blog, thank you. Looking forward to the post.
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sconzani said:
It will appear on Friday, Theresa. I’ve put a link to your post about the birds and to your current website. Thanks!
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theresagreen said:
Lovely to see the purple gallinules, I used to see them regularly when I lived in Spain as there was a breeding colony of them in the local nature reserve. Bizarre but fascinating creatures and often very noisy!
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sconzani said:
I didn’t realise they were a Spanish bird, too, Theresa. They sound rather like the New Zealand pukekos, always squabbling and screeching, whereas the British bird is altogether more reserved. Do the birds reflect the people I wonder? 😉
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