This large, striking wetland bird is widespread throughout the Old World with thirteen subspecies usually recognized. African populations are P. p. madagascariensis which has a distinctive bronze-green mantle and wing coverts. Species level taxonomy is confusing, with some subspecies groups recently elevated to full species status or proposed to be split. E.g., the SASOL guide and Roberts 7th both split the African bird under the name African Purple Swamphen (P. madagascariensis). The IOC list also splits it under the name African Swamphen. However, the African Bird Club list follows the traditional taxonomy of Howard & Moore and Clements which lumps all the forms into a single species. Additional taxonomic references are summarized by Pranty and details of the molecular work by Trewick are available online.
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