Porphyrio Collection

South Island Takahe, Porphyrio hochestetteri. Artwork by JG Keulemans from Sir Walter Lawry Bullers A History of the Birds of New Zealand, Vol.2 Plate 33 Date: 1888

Purple Swamphen / Pukeko / Purple Gallinule. Tiritiri Matangi island near Auckland - New Zealand
MAB-491 Purple Swamphen / Pukeko / Purple Gallinule Tiritiri Matangi island near Auckland - New Zealand Porphyrio porphyrio Mark Boulton Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), Australia

Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus 1, and purple swamphen. Handcoloured lithograph from Carl Hoffmann's Book of
FLO4646314 Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus 1, and purple swamphen. Handcoloured lithograph from Carl Hoffmann's Book of the World, Stuttgart, 1849.; (add.info.: Common moorhen)

Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias, purple swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio, and common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
FLO4597702 Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias, purple swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio, and common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus. Handcoloured engraving on steel by Fournier after a drawing by Edouard Travies

The Great Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio hyacinthinus); A Bird nesting Expedition in a North... 1875. Creator: Unknown
The Great Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio hyacinthinus); A Bird nesting Expedition in a North African Swamp, 1875. From Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates

Purple gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) in mangrove swamp. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. March

American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) displaying brightly coloured wings. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, March

American purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) holding water lily seed pod in beak while swimming through lily pads. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA

American purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) leaping between water lily pads. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA

American Purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) balancing on a lily pad, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA

Purple swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio. (Purple gallinule, Fulica porphyrio)
FLO4643348 Purple swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio. (Purple gallinule, Fulica porphyrio) Handcoloured copperplate engraving of an illustration by William Hayes from Portraits of Rare

Dancing lady orchid, Trichocentrum porphyrio. Chromolithograph by Pieter de Pannemaeker from Jean Lindens l Illustration Horticole, Brussels, 1884

Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (Martinico gallinule, Gallinula martinica). Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by John Latham from his own A General History of Birds, Winchester, 1824

Moorhen and purple swamphen
Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus 1, and purple swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio 2. Handcoloured lithograph from Carl Hoffmanns Book of the World, Stuttgart, 1849

Purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) reaches for Giant bulrush seeds (Schoenoplectis californicus). Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida, USA, April

Takahe (Porphyrio mantelli) eating grass, Tiritiri Mantangi Island Scientific Reserve, New Zealand. Endemic

Purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) reaches for giant bulrush (Schoenoplectis californicus) seeds. Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida, USA, April

Violet or blue lorikeet, Vini peruviana.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodders The Naturalists Miscellany, 1800

Violet lorikeet, Vini peruviana Vulnerable
Violet lorikeet, Vini peruviana. Vulnerable.. Handcolored steel engraving by Joseph Kidd from Sir Thomas Dick Lauder and Captain Thomas Browns Miscellany of Natural History: Parrots, Edinburgh, 1833

Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, and purple swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio.. Handcolored copperplate stipple engraving from Dumont de Sainte-Croixs Dictionary of Natural Science: Ornithology

Picture No. 10890666
Purple Swamphen - close up of head (Porphyrio melanotus) Date:

Picture No. 10886376
Purple / African Purple Swamphen / Purple Moorhen / Gallinule / Coot - with young (Porphyrio porphyrio) Date:

Picture No. 10886377
Purple / African Purple Swamphen / Purple Moorhen / Gallinule / Coot - with young (Porphyrio porphyrio) Date:

Picture No. 10883814
Purple Gallinule / Swamp-hen - running with grass in mouth (Porphyrio porphyrio) Date:

Picture No. 10879040
Purple Swamphen / Pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio) Date:

Picture No. 10893414
Purple Swamphen - in water - foot raised (Porphyrio porphyrio) Date:

Porphyrio porphirio poliocephalus, purple swamphen
Plate 93, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Porphyrio albus, Lord Howe swamphen
Drawing No. 73, watercolour by George Raper (1792) from The Raper Collection

Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus, purple swamphen
Watercolour 331 by the Port Jackson Painter from the Watling Collection titled Black-jointed Gallinule, Goo la warring

Porphyrio martinica, purple galinule
Plate 305 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1835-38), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

Purple Swamphen in Marsh habitat, Coto Donana, Spain

1851 Takahe Mantells Petrifactions book
The frontis to Gideon Mantells 1851 book, " Petrifactions and their Teachings - a handbook to the gallery of organic remains at the British Museum"

Purple Moorhen Ranthambhor National Park, India
JR-1069 Purple Moorhen Ranthambhor National Park, India. Porphyrio porphyrio Jagdeep Rajput Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

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The Porphyrio, also known as the South Island Takahe or Purple Swamphen, is a stunning bird species found in various parts of the world. One such location is Tiritiri Matangi island near Auckland, New Zealand, where the Porphyrio hochestetteri can be spotted gracefully roaming around. In other regions like Everglades National Park in Florida, USA, its cousin species, the American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica), showcases its vibrant wings and unique behaviors. From holding water lily seed pods in their beaks while swimming through lily pads to leaping between them with utmost agility and even balancing on a single lily pad - these birds truly captivate observers with their acrobatic skills. Interestingly, historical illustrations from books like "Portraits of Rare and Curious Birds from the Menagerie of Osterly Park" by William Hayes depict hand-colored engravings showcasing different variations of this magnificent bird. The Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and Purple Gallinule (Fulica porphyrio) are among those featured in these exquisite artworks dating back to 1794. Not limited to avian beauty alone, there are other instances where "porphyrio" finds itself associated with nature's wonders beyond birds. For instance, the Dancing Lady Orchid (Trichocentrum porphyrio) exhibits delicate purple petals resembling the hues seen on these gallinules' feathers. Whether it's reaching for Giant bulrush seeds or coexisting alongside Moorhens and other swamphens in their natural habitats - one thing remains certain: Porphyrios bring an enchanting touch wherever they go. With their striking colors and mesmerizing movements both on land and water, these creatures remind us of nature's endless marvels that deserve our admiration and protection.