Pea Hen ( I think)

[bill jolley]

not as much detail has i hoped but i was shooting into the sun

[Alan]

Purple Swamphen Bill, (Charles has the Pea Hens )

http://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/purple-swamphen

[sejac]

Alan is spot on.

I had one visit for a day or two a few years back. It was such a character, and let me get some close shots. Never saw it again.

In New Zealand, they are just about the second national bird. They call it the Pukeko. You can get Pukeko tea cups, towels etc. I have a Pukeko key ring. (I'm a cheap skate.)

Have a look in Wikipaedia.

[eaglem]

Looks similar to the Mud Hens we have here.