Réunion swamphen (SciiFii)

The Réunion swamphen (Porphyrio caerulescens), also known as the Réunion gallinule or oiseau bleu (French for "blue bird"), is a species of rail that is endemic to the Mascarene island of Réunion. It probably was once extinct since the early 18th century, if it once existed, but has since been brought back from extinction (in case it existed) by SciiFii and reintroduced to Réunion to help boost biodiversity. The Réunion swamphen is entirely blue in plumage with a red beak and legs. It is a rather large swamphen, about the size of a Réunion ibis or chicken, 65–70 cm (26–28 in) in length, and it is similar to the takahe of New Zealand. While sometimes easily hunted, it is a fast runner and able to fly, though it does so reluctantly. It feeds on plant matter and invertebrates, as do other swamphens, and nest among grasses and aquatic ferns. It is only found on the Plaine des Cafres plateau, to which it retreats to during the latter part of its life, whereas other swamphens inhabit lowland swamps. The conservation status of the Réunion swamphen is Endangered due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to conservationists, the Réunion swamphen is making a comeback after being nearly extinct (again if it existed originally in historic times).
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii