The purple swamphen has been split into the following species:
Western swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio, southwest Europe and northwest AfricaAfrican swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis, sub-Saharan continental Africa and MadagascarGrey-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus, Middle East, through the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern ThailandBlack-backed swamphen, Porphyrio indicus, southeast Asia to SulawesiPhilippine swamphen, Porphyrio pulverulentus, Philippine islandsAustralasian swamphen, Porphyrio melanotus, Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania