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The Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is a large member of the rail family Rallidae which is in the genus Porphyrio. This chicken-sized bird, with its large feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily recognisable in its native range. It used to be considered the nominate subspecies of the Purple Swamphen which has now been split into six full species It is found in Iberia, France, Sardinia and northwest Africa to Tunisia.
The Purple Swamphen has been split into the following species:
- Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) - southwest Europe and northwest Africa
- African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) - sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar
- Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) - Middle East, through the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand, introduced Florida, USA
- Black-backed Swamphen (Porphyrio indicus) - southeast Asia to Sulawesi
- Philippine Swamphen (Porphyrio pulverulentus) - Philippine islands
- Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) - Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_swamphen