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Aggressive behaviour of Purple Swamphen

on 30th January 2012

On 1st April 2011, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS was birdwatching at his favourite ex-mining pool just outside the Malaysian city of Ipoh in the state of Perak. This pool is adjacent to limestone hills and secondary growth.

There was a Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio viridis) about 8-10 meters from him in the overgrown pond. Suddenly another swamphen, about 20 meters away launched itself, flew in and chased the one he was watching away (above). This second swamphen did not seem to be bothered by his proximity, not as much as that of the other bird.

He was soon to find out the reason of the aggression. There was the calls of a juvenile nearby (above right), about 20 meters out where the other adult had been. The aggressive behaviour must have been to protect its young (image above-left shows the breeding adult in its glory).

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

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