I nearly walked right past this pretty Purple Gallinule the other evening, but my husband caught sight of him peeking out from behind this Fireflag plant.
What a treat! As we stood nearby on the boardwalk the Gallinule clambered up and down the narrow stalks to get at the tasty purple Fireflag flowers. He was no more than 2-3 feet away – we could have easily reached out and touched him!
Upside down and backwards works, too – whatever it takes to get at the core of those yummy blossoms.
My husband suggested, “Why not take a video?” Good idea! This short clip gives you a feel for our lovely wetlands, and a sense of the eagerness with which this Purple Gallinule chomped away on his evening snack!
Birder's Journey 
Nice portrait and action shots. The colors on this fellow are amazing.
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Your visit is much appreciated, Ellen! Yes….The colors on the Purple Gallinule truly shimmer in the sunlight!
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Thank you for sharing not only the wonderful photos but the video too. Beautiful hen.
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Thanks! I usually don’t think about taking videos, but sometimes a little clip like this tells so much more than just the photos.
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Awesome! How lucky can you get?
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That’s what I say, Pam…. We are SO lucky to live near these wonderful wetlands!
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Love it!
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beautiful captures and great video!
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Thanks, Tiny! I have my husband to thank for suggesting that I take the little video clip. It really gives the flavor of the place.
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What a delightful bird, such colours and those long skinny legs!! Love it.
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Purple Gallinules have always been one of my favorite birds! But then again… Almost every bird has at one time been my favorite bird, I guess 😀
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Really love spell check… But I know what you mean…my favourites change too…
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Yikes!!! 😬 hope I can fix this now!
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We know what you mean… And made me smile.
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I never even realized it till I saw your comment! Thanks😊!!
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I just can’t stand the brilliance!!! WOW! Beautiful capture as always!
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Thank you, Yaffa, for your wonderfully positive and enthusiastic reaction;-D
These guys are so beautiful, as you know!
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At which wetlands did you find this gallinule?
Compare the species of Porphyrio we found early on our first trip to New Zealand:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/pukeko/
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Green Cay Wetlands in Delray Beach Florida. The bird you saw reminds me even more of our non-native Purple Swamphens, which are bulkier and less graceful, and have pink legs versus the Purple Gallinule’s yellow legs. The Swamphens dig up the roots of plants and make quite a mess, whereas the Purple Gallinules clamber gracefully up the narrow reeds, and step genteelly across the broad leaves on the water. The coloring of the beak is different as well. We have many here now, and people often mistake them for Purple Gallinules.
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