Malaysian Birds -Black-backed Swamphen

In the old days there was only one species the Purple Swamphen. Now there is a split and this Black-backed Swamphen came out recognized as a separate species.

This Black-backed Swamphen also shows darker upperparts and head compared to Grey-headed Swamphen. Generally, Black-backed Swamphen has a dark purple head and back, which appear as dark or darker than the underparts, while Grey-headed's head color appears lighter than the rest of the plumage.

Fisrtly the Black-backed is physically smaller than the Grey Headed in size. The main diagnostic markings shown very clearly in Pix 11. The shield at the head is not completely Red. Second the lower half of beak is yellow. beak

Pix#1 Black-backed Swamphen