Bird Guide

Allen's Gallinule vs Purple Gallinule

Allen's Gallinule (Porphyrio alleni)

Allen's Gallinule

Porphyrio alleni

Medium139 gWetland

They are similar in size to the only slightly larger water rail. The Allen's gallinule has a short red bill, greenish back and purple upperparts. They have red legs with long toes, and a short tail which is white with a dark central bar underneath. Breeding males have a blue frontal shield, which is green in the female. Immature Allen's gallinules are sandy brown with a buff undertail. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails. They nod their heads as they swim.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Martien Brand from Mariënberg, The Netherlands · CC BY 2.0
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Medium235 gWetland

The purple gallinule is a medium-sized rail, measuring 26–37 cm (10–15 in) in length, spanning 50–61 cm (20–24 in) across the wings and weighing 141–305 g (5.0–10.8 oz). Males, averaging 257 g (9.1 oz) in mass, are slightly larger than females, at 215 g (7.6 oz) on average. An adult purple gallinule has purple-blue plumage that will shine green and turquoise when in good lighting. Adults also have a pale blue shield on their forehead, which connects with the red and yellow bill.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Purple Gallinule
Recorded by radrat · Song · Club de Yate Miraflores-R (near Panama City), Panama, Panamá Province, Panama · CC0
Photo: Judy Gallagher · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Allen's Gallinule and Purple Gallinule.