Purple Swamp-hen (Porphyrio porphyrio) Science Article 1
abstract
I recorded, during the incubation period, the day shift activity of purple swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio porphyrio breeding in an artificial wetland of southeastern Spain. Three breeding systems were found: pairs, trios and solitary birds, which confirms that the subspecies porphyrio may also have communal breeding. However, the third bird in trios did not cooperate in incubation, so that the incubation patterns in trios were similar as to those in pairs. Some explanations on this point are suggested, regarding the habitat availability. Solitary birds attended similar incubation shifts as each member of a pair, but the overall time devoted to incubation was strongly affected.
Sanchez-Lafuente A.M., ARDEA 81 (2): 121-124.