India and Sri Lanka through Bangladesh, Andamans, Nicobars and northern Myanmar to south-central China (Yunnan) and northern Thailand. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) [XC857306]
by Sam Hambly from Ban Khlong Suan (near Tambon Ban Khlong Suan), Amphoe Phra Samut Chedi, Chang Wat Samut Prakan, Thailand (call)
Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) [XC860633]
by Ding Li Yong from Tram Chim National Park, Vietnam (call)
Subspecies
Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio).
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
seistanicus Zarudny & Härms, 1911 - Iraq and southern Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western India. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio).
poliocephalus (Latham, 1802) - India and Sri Lanka through Bangladesh, Andamans, Nicobars and northern Myanmar to south-central China (Yunnan) and northern Thailand. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio).
viridis Begbie, 1834 - Southern Myanmar, southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia through Indochina to southern China. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio).
caspius Hartert, E, 1917 - Caspian Sea, north-western Iran and Turkey. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet