The Purple Swamphen Porphyrio Porphyrio Is A `swamp Hen` In The Rail Family Rallidae. Stock Photography

The western swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio is a swamphen in the rail family Rallidae, one of the six species of purple swamphen. From the French name talève sultane, it is also known as the sultana bird. 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, but is now recognised as a separate species. The western swamphen is found in wetlands in Spain.