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Posted by Angel & Mariel on 13:58:34 05/07/08
In Reply to: Re: where are the purple swamphens? posted by John Schwarz
FWC has been working at extirpating the Purple Swamphen from the Water Conservation areas in S. Florida and seem to be doing a good job. Less and less are seen, we saw 2 at STA-5 about a month and a half ago. One was seen on 10/20/07 Wakodahatchee Wetlands, FL. But they are getting harder to find and the ones that are around are very skittish and paranoid, we think that this is caused by the efforts to extirpate them.
Threats to natives: Although they are primarily vegetarians swamphens have also been recorded preying on mollusks, fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, bird eggs, and small birds (Pranty et al. 2000). They may also impact the plant life of the wetlands and the native species that depend on it.
Species Account: The birds in Broward County probably come from 2 aviculturists near Silver Lakes, but 8 birds did escape from the Miami Metro Zoo's "Wings of Asia" exhibit in 1992. Most of the adult swamphens at Pembroke Pines have grayish heads and are thought to be Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus, which is native to Turkey and the Caspian Sea east to southern Asia. There is also a blue-headed form seen at Pembroke Pines that represents another subspecies.
Check with the recent sightings for STA-5 to see if any have been seen recently. That might be your best shot. Good luck.
Nature is Awesome
Angel & Mariel
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