Grey-headed Swamphen - Boyton Beach, FL

The Grey-headed swamphen is a rather chunky member of the rail/gallinule family that originates from south east Asia. There were several that were claimed to be escapees in the everglades and have been very successful in the area of South East Florida. Too successful in relation to the local population of birds that live within the same range. Invasive species are the largest reason for the decline of some species today. These threats are usually due to competition  for nesting habitat or food and sometimes the spread of disease as is the case of Hawaiian birds.