PURPLE SWAMP HEN

shot this is fast disappearing pallikarani marshes in Chennai.....and with real estate booming in this city ...this could be the last domain of these marsh birds......State Government has mooted some measures to protect the marshes and the birds and we hope this will keep the land grabbers away,,,The Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio is a "swamp hen" in the rail family Rallidae. Also known locally as the the Pūkeko, African Purple Swamphen, Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule or Purple Coot. From its French name talève sultane, it is also known as the Sultana Bird. This chicken-sized bird, with its huge feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily-recognisable in its native range.