The Australasian swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) is a species of
swamphen previously considered a subspecies of the
purple swamphen. Members of this species live in groups of 3–12 individuals and are known to group together and shriek loudly to defend nests successfully during attacks; when unsuccessful at repelling predators, they may abandon their nest sites. The Australasian swamphen can be found in eastern
Indonesia (the
Moluccas,
Aru and
Kai Islands), as well as in
Papua New Guinea,
Australia, and
New Zealand.Photograph:
Toby Hudson
The Australasian swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) is a species of
swamphen previously considered a subspecies of the
purple swamphen. Members of this species live in groups of 3–12 individuals and are known to group together and shriek loudly to defend nests successfully during attacks; when unsuccessful at repelling predators, they may abandon their nest sites. The Australasian swamphen can be found in eastern
Indonesia (the
Moluccas,
Aru and
Kai Islands), as well as in
Papua New Guinea,
Australia, and
New Zealand.Photograph:
Toby Hudson