
Réunion Swamphen | |
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Scientific classification |
The Réunion Swamphen (Porphyrio caerulescens), (with other names as the Réunion gallinule or "oiseau bleu" french for blue bird), is a hypothetical extinct species of rail bird that was endemic to the Mascarene island of Réunion. It was made extinct by hunting and invasive species, and was thought do have become extinct circa 1730 (though it may have persisted even longer until 1763). It may have been similar to the Takahe, but unlike the Takahe, it was capable of flight, though the bird was usually reluctant to fly, and was a fast runner in and of itself.