#161 Pukeko

Pukeko on Tiritiri Matangi Island

Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus
IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
Location: Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand
Time: 1120 NZDT March 9, 2012

The pukeko, known elsewhere as the purple swamphen or the purple gallinule (but not to be confused with the American Purple Gallinule, P. martinica) is a very widespread species, found in Madagascar, Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and many Pacific Islands. It may, however, be split into two or more species at some point in the future.

Pukeko at Western Springs Park, Auckland

Pukeko are a close relative of the most famous inhabitants of Tiritiri Matangi, the takahe, which I will be posting about soon.

Pukeko at Western Springs Park. There is a black fluffy chick at the upper right

Pukeko, specifically the Australasian subspecies P. p. melanotus, were recently featured in the zoologger column at New Scientist for their unsual breeding habits. The pukeko isn't the only New Zealand bird with unusual breeding behaviour: the hihi, or stitchbird, also has some unorthodox habits, and I will be posting on the hihi soon as well.