What Is This Bird?

[sbk]

My husband said the Thai name is something like Gai Lah (chicken something). But surely it can't be a chicken?

Sorry, the bird wouldn't cooperate with posing so this is the best photo I've got

[twschw]

Maybe a Purple Swamphen.

[tutsiwarrior]

it may not be a chicken but sure looks like it'd be good eatin'...

[sbk]

Gai Fah, not Gai lah

Thats the bird twschw (you of the unpronounceable name). Thanks, it was a lovely bird, beautiful plumage. Not sure if its good eatin tho tutsi

[twschw]

First became a member in '04 ,before my first trip here, and didn't know then that I would be living in Thailand nor posting here. Had I known I would have picked a more user friendly nick.

I do think that bird is quite lovely.

[sometime]

Here is a good web for finding the names of birds. http://www.pbase.com/peterericsson/birds_of_thailand

[Goshawk]

It's 'proper' name is Purple Galinule

It's Thai name is Nok Ee Koeng

[5tash]

I've done a bit of research and would agree with Goshawk.

The bird in the picture is a Purple Galinule, more commonly known as a Purple Swamphen.

Purple Swamphen นกอีโก้ง (nok e-gong)

ไก่ฟ้า (gai faa) is a pheasant.

I saw some of these birds when I was in Bangkok a few weeks ago. They were in some swamp land near my friends house, quite a busy area, a lot of cars and noise, didn't seem to bother the birds though!

I thought it strange because birds like these prefer habitat away from humans.

[Goshawk]

the best place for Bangkokian's to see one would be over at Rangsit Marsh, not far from Don Muang

if you want to see them in their hundreds, go to Beung Boraphet, Nakhon Sawan..

[5tash]

the best place for Bangkokian's to see one would be over at Rangsit Marsh, not far from Don Muang

if you want to see them in their hundreds, go to Beung Boraphet, Nakhon Sawan..

In fact that's where my friends house is, Rangsit. I never realised there was a marsh near by. That explains things!

[sbk]

This bird was quite tame, presumably raised from a chick around people. Beautiful bird, never seen one before.

Thanks for the clarification, I'll be sure to tell DH he got the name wrong

[Beardog]

No wonder it does not prefer to be around humans. If it is in the Pheasant family-it is most definitely edible!

Very pretty bird.

[geriatrickid]

It's 'proper' name is Purple Galinule

It's Thai name is Nok Ee Koeng

You got me thinking, so I pulled out the one text I have and looked it up and it says that this is a migratory bird of the Americas, found in the marshes and wetlands of the southern USA and the Carribean with wintering done in South America. What's it doing in Thailand. Surely, it's not a native fellow, is it?

I know zero about birds, and you have me mighty curious now.

[twschw]

Geriatrickid I think you are referring to a Porphyrio martinica. The bird that I was referring to is the Porphyrio porphyrio. Both are called Purple Gallinule.

Clear as mud now?

Edited May 3, 2008 by twschw

[Goshawk]

It's 'proper' name is Purple Galinule

It's Thai name is Nok Ee Koeng

You got me thinking, so I pulled out the one text I have and looked it up and it says that this is a migratory bird of the Americas, found in the marshes and wetlands of the southern USA and the Carribean with wintering done in South America. What's it doing in Thailand. Surely, it's not a native fellow, is it?

I know zero about birds, and you have me mighty curious now.

Native it is !

you see there is a, rather confusingly to the layman, Purple Gallinule and American Purple Gallinule and both look relatively similar.. tswhc or whatever his name is has obviously wikipedia'd it and given you the latin names.. but i can tell you from experience that this bird is resident in Thailand, and is as common as mud..

(if you do happen to find a Porphyrio martinica in Thailand, pls let me know first, krap)

[twschw]

Goshawk,

My nick is twschw and it has significant meaning to me. If it is too difficult for you don't use it in your post. As for the latin names they were posted for reference. I was trying to clarify another posters misconception.

Best of luck to you,

twschw