Purple Gallinule
NamePurple Gallinule
Common NamePurple Gallinule
Scientific NamePorphyrio martinica
FamilyRallidae
Wingspan (cm)52.5
Length (cm)32
Weight (g)220
Plumage DetailsAdults have iridescent purple-blue plumage on the head, neck, and underparts, with a bronzy-green back and wings. The undertail coverts are white, and the long legs are bright yellow. The bill is red with a yellow tip, topped by a pale blue frontal shield.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of clucking, cackling, grunting, and squawking calls, often described as chicken-like or frog-like.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsfreshwater marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, wetlands with dense vegetation
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds in the southeastern United States, Central America, the Caribbean, and tropical South America. Northern populations migrate south for winter.
Identifying Featuresiridescent purple-blue body, green back and wings, bright yellow legs with long toes, red bill with yellow tip, pale blue frontal shield, white undertail coverts
Description
A strikingly colorful marsh bird, the Purple Gallinule boasts iridescent purple-blue plumage, a green back, and bright yellow legs. It is often observed walking gracefully across floating vegetation in wetlands, using its long toes to distribute its weight.
