The Pūkeko Porphyrio porphyrio is the common name, derived from the Maori language, for the Purple Swamphen in New Zealand. It is also known as the African Purple Swamphen, Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, or Purple Coot.It is a large bird in the family Rallidae (rails). It is a chicken-sized bird, with its huge red-pink feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield. It should not be confused with the American PUrple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica.

According to the Heather and Robertson Field Guide, the bird seems to have become established in New Zealand about 1000 years ago. According to Millener (1981) it invaded from Australia less than 1,000 years ago. It is also assumed to have spread from Australia to New Guinea. Some assume that it became established before humans in New Zealand but all fossill occurrences are in sites younger than 400 years and there is no evidence that they were on the main islands of New Zealand before the Māori arrived (Worthy & Holdaway 1996). It may have been introduced by the ancestors of Māori. East Coast Māori say they were brought to New Zealand on the Harouta canoe which arrived about 24 generations ago. The Aotea tribe of the West Coast say the Pūkeko was introduced by their ancestors in a boat called the Aoles. – Wikipedia

We saw this bird throughout our tour. These close-up photos were taken at the Otorohanga Kiwi House Zoo. Photo 4075 shown the red shield bill especially well.

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