Allen's Gallinule
A species of Swamphens, Also known as Lesser Gallinule Scientific name : Porphyrio alleni Genus : Swamphens
Allen's Gallinule, A species of Swamphens
Also known as:
Lesser Gallinule
Botanical name: Porphyrio alleni
Genus: Swamphens
Content
Description
Description
Allen's gallinule (Porphyrio alleni), formerly known as the lesser gallinule, is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae. Its former binomial name is Porphyrula alleni. Porphyrio is the Latin for "swamphen", and alleni, like the English name, commemorates British naval officer Rear-Admiral William Allen (1792–1864). Its breeding habitat is marshes and lakes in Sub-Saharan Africa. They build a floating nest in marshes and swamps, laying 2-5 eggs. This species is partially migratory, undertaking seasonal movements. Remarkably, this apparently weakly flying bird is not only the only species with a purely sub-Saharan African range to have reached Great Britain, but has done so twice. It has also occurred as a vagrant in several other European countries. They are similar in size to the only slightly larger water rail. The Allen's gallinule has a short red bill, greenish back and purple upperparts. They have red legs with long toes, and a short tail which is white with a dark central bar underneath. Breeding males have a blue frontal shield, which is green in the female. Immature Allen's gallinules are sandy brown with a buff undertail. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails. These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects and aquatic animals. They nod their heads as they swim. Allen's gallinules are very secretive in the breeding season, particularly in the dense swamps they favour, and are mostly heard rather than seen. They are then rather noisy birds, with a sharp nasal pruk call. They can be easier to see on migration or when wintering.
Size
26 cm
Feeding Habits
Allen's Gallinule's diet consists of marsh plants, seeds, stems, leaves, fruits, as well as earthworms, molluscs, insects, and small fish. Active foragers, they are aggressive towards peers and can steal food from other species. Allen's Gallinule feeds primarily around dawn, dusk, midday, and moonlit nights. They forage by swimming or on floating vegetation, turning over leaves and climbing to access food.
Habitat
Allen's Gallinule typically inhabits freshwater ecosystems including marshes, reedbeds, and grasslands prone to flooding. It thrives in environments with dense aquatic vegetation such as papyrus swamps as well as man-made habitats like rice fields. Allen's Gallinule prefers wetlands with floating-leaved plants but avoids discussing specific elevation ranges.
Dite type
Omnivorous