Pukekos and Black Swans

Pūkeko is the common name, derived from the Maori language, for the Purple SwamphenPorphyrio porphyrio) in NZ. The subspecies occurring there is Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus, which is also found elsewhere in Australasia, including, in eastern Indonesia, the Mollucas, Aru and Kai Islands, as well as in Papua New Guinea and Australia.

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The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. The species was hunted to extinction in NZ, but later reintroduced. Within Australia they are nomadic, with erratic migration patterns dependent upon climatic conditions. Black Swans are large birds with mostly black plumage and red bills. They are monogamous breeders that share incubation duties and cygnet rearing between the sexes.