The spectacular Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is a large, common waterbird in the rail family. Unlike other rails it is brightly coloured, with an oversized red beak and frontal shield and an iridescent purple and blue neck. These birds belong to the more brightly coloured race Porphyrio porphyrio bellus that is restricted to south-western Australia. Purple Swamphens are mainly seen near rushes at the edge of the water, but also like to graze on areas of mown grass. This pair of Swamphens were on a platform of bulrushes (Typha orientalis) at Lake Monger in the late afternoon. One was holding a clump of Typha roots in its foot, pecking off morsels to eat while its mate watched.