This little family of Purple Swamphens (Porphyrio porphyrio) makes its home on the banks of Lake Tuggeranong. These semi-aquatic birds make their nests in among the reeds, and defend them fiercely. I have had angry swamphens chase me many a time, with the male flying up at my face and using his beak, claws and wings to attack me. Nothing serious though, but it would be scary if you weren't expecting it.
With their red crest, blue body plumage, black wings and white rump, they make a for a very attractive and striking bird. The females are usually a little smaller and plainer than the males.
They are primarily waders, but can swim and fly with equal proficiency.
Feeding on water vegetation, frogs, aquatic invertebrates, including shrimp and yabbies, and insects and their larvae, they will also predate upon the eggs of other water birds and small baby birds in low lying nests, ducklings and moorhen chicks are not safe around them and the ducks rarely tolerate their presence near a nesting site. I have also seen them catching and eating small lizards and mice near the water. They hold their prey with their large, unwebbed feet, with their prehensile toes.
Not exactly the friendliest bird around the place. I really like them.