- Porphyrio alleni
Identification
Black body, brownish neck, red legs and bill.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and the Comoro Islands.
Vagrancy
Vagrants have been recorded from as far as Spain.
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Habitat
Found in dense vegetation around lake margins, papyrus swamps and lily ponds.
Behaviour
This is a very shy bird which is adept at swimming and diving, it is also often seen climbing through the vegetation.
Breeding
It builds a floating nest in marshes and swamps, laying 2-5 eggs.
Diet
The diet includes insects and aquatic animals.
