About the Purple Gallinule
The purple gallinule is a species of swamphen found in the Americas. It is in the order Gruiformes, meaning "crane-like", an order which also contains cranes, rails, and crakes. The purple gallinule is a rail species, placing it into the family Rallidae. It is also known locally as the yellow-legged gallinule. The specific name martinica denotes "of Martinique".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Purple Gallinule sounds like
Where the Purple Gallinule lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Falkland Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Pierre & Miquelon, United Kingdom, Iceland, Anguilla, St. Barthélemy.
When to see the Purple Gallinule
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Purple SwamphenPorphyrio porphyrioThe western swamphen is a species of swamphen in the rail family Rallidae, one of the six species of purple swamphen.
South Island TakahePorphyrio hochstetteriThe South Island takahē is the largest living member of the family Rallidae.
Allen's GallinulePorphyrio alleniThey are similar in size to the only slightly larger water rail.
Side by side: Corn Crake vs Purple Gallinule
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