Dinosaur-like Swamphens hold food in their feet, tearing off pieces to feed their chicks

Australasian Swamphens (Porphyrio melanotus) are widely distributed from the Moluccas, through Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and east to Samoa. They live in a variety of wetland habitats and are primarily vegetarian, although small animals, including birds, their nestlings and eggs are also taken. This pair of Australasian Swamphens were feeding their two large chicks scraps from some nearby picnickers, using their feet to hold and manipulate the food as they tore off pieces for their young. These highly adaptable waterbirds remind me of dinosaurs.