I have always thought...

white birds
I have always thought that stars turn into white birds in the morning light
& sleep with their heads under their wings
until the dusk begins to walk through the streets.
- storypeople

Saturday 9 March 2013

Pukeko


Pukeko or Purple Swamp Hen at the Hillview Community Reserve wetlands in Dromana.
Even though they swim, they prefer to wander the edges of water!
The tail flicks quickly as it walks revealing this burst of white.


The legs seem rather long and thick for the size of the bird.
In flight, these legs trail behind.


Linking to:
NatureFootstep Winged
Wild Bird Wednesday
Bird D'Pot

17 comments:

NatureFootstep said...

a gorgeous bird from the ehn family. Looks a little like the ones I know. :)

Unknown said...

Interesting bird. The legs look really strong.

HansHB said...

Lovely bird, totaly new for me!

TexWisGirl said...

lovely, charming and odd all at the same time. :)

Unknown said...

Great first shot!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Anni said...

That is one amazing bird!! Close to our moorhen, but still different. Great set of photos Gemma.

Anni said...

ps...by the way, I've been meaning to ask you forever and keep forgetting to do so. I would like to know if your name is pronounced with a soft 'g' as in gem or a hard 'g' like in goat?!!!

Anonymous said...

I have never seen these before. How interesting!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Purple Swamphens were released into the Florida ecosystem very near our present home, back in the 1990s. They have spread widely and are said to displace and even kill the native gallinules/moorhens. A vigorous eradication campaign was unsuccessful.

mick said...

Great photos and I like them being called Pukeko - much nicer than just Purple Swamp Hen!

Wally Jones said...

Interesting post! As Ken noted, they're in danger of becoming a nuisance bird here in Florida.

eileeninmd said...

They are cool looking birds, great photos. Thanks for sharing!

Kusum said...

Lovely! For me it is a new bird today!

Carletta said...

I noticed the thickness of the legs right away.
Nice captures Gemma!

i stora drag said...

Nice photos, the bird looks a lot like our eurasian coot.
Greetings Pia

Anonymous said...

Those are powerful-looking legs.

Stewart M said...

I always like these birds - even if they do throw their weight about a bit!

Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW

Stewart M - Melbourne

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