Grey-headed swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) is a common inhabitant of marshy, vegetated freshwater bodies. The male has an elaborate courtship display, holding water weeds in his bill and bowing to the female with loud chuckles.
The Grey-headed Swamphens
are generally seasonal breeders, but the season varies across their large
range, correlating with peak rainfall in many places, or summer in more
temperate climes. The Grey-headed Swamphen breeds in warm reed beds. In the
western parts of the range the pattern of social behaviour tends to be
monogamy, but cooperative breeding groups are more common in the eastern parts
of the range. These groups may consist of multiple females and males sharing a
nest or a male female pair with helpers drawn from previous clutches.
*The image was made at Mote Majra, Punjab in 2020.
