Wildlifeof Thailand
Grey-headed Swamphen
Rallidae
Photo: Eridan Xharahi · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Porphyrio poliocephalus
Also known as: Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus
AviList (2026) treats this bird as a subspecies, Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus, of the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), which is not listed separately on this site. IOC lists it as a separate species.
Basic stats
Diet
Aquatic plants, shoots, seeds and small animals
Habitat
Marshes, lakes and rice fields
Range
Middle East through South and Southeast Asia
Size
38–50cm
The grey-headed swamphen is a large rail with a grey head, purple-blue body, red bill and frontal shield, and very long red toes. It inhabits marshes, lakes and rice fields from the Middle East through South and Southeast Asia. Birds climb and walk through emergent plants, grasping stems with one foot while eating shoots, seeds and occasional small animals; the white undertail flashes when alarmed (Wikipedia, general species account). It is Nationally Least Concern (Thailand Red Data 2025).
Quick answers
- What does the Grey-headed Swamphen eat?
- Aquatic plants, shoots, seeds and small animals
- What habitat does the Grey-headed Swamphen live in?
- Marshes, lakes and rice fields
- Where is the Grey-headed Swamphen found?
- Middle East through South and Southeast Asia
- How big is the Grey-headed Swamphen?
- 38–50cm