tarsiger.co.uk | qatar birds and other wildlife by Neil Morris

Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio porphyrio

(Above) Al Corniche, Doha, Qatar, 12 September 2012 (Digibinned: Swarovski 8x32 EL + Sony DSC-W610)

The provenance of Gallinules/Swamphens in the Middle East is of great contention. This is clearly Purple Gallinule, not one of the local but rare (and introduced?) African Swamphens. But is it genuine or an escape? I fear the latter, given its confiding nature and liking for open grassland. But then again, think about how wild Common Moorhens can behave in ornamental parks.

an informal birding record	tarsiger.co.uk
home latest additions isle of man qatar uk & ireland rest of world gulls other fauna & flora about links contact
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio (Above) Al Corniche, Doha, Qatar, 12 September 2012 (Digibinned: Swarovski 8x32 EL + Sony DSC-W610) The provenance of Gallinules/Swamphens in the Middle East is of great contention. This is clearly Purple Gallinule, not one of the local but rare (and introduced?) African Swamphens. But is it genuine or an escape? I fear the latter, given its confiding nature and liking for open grassland. But then again, think about how wild Common Moorhens can behave in ornamental parks.
© All contents and images herein strictly subject to copyright Contact me for permission to use, reproduce or otherwise transmit any of this site's contents