Always a treat to see the Purple Gallinules

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As you can see on the All About Birds PG Range Map, “Most of the Purple Gallinules that breed in the U.S. migrate as far as Central America for the winter, but some remain in Florida year-round.” They can also be found year-round throughout much of South America – see more info about this stunning bird on Birds of the World.

The beautifully colored Purple Gallinule is one of my favorite visitors to our area! A member of the rail family, this striking bird appears to walk on water as it effortlessly strolls on long yellow toes across floating lily pads and other dense marsh foliage.

Purple Gallinules enjoy freshwater marshes with emergent vegetation, like our local wetlands, though in “South America, migrants have been found in Andean wetlands at elevations as high as 13,385 feet.” !! (All About Birds-PG Life History)

This fellow above was working hard to pick the choicest leaves of water lettuce, as a neighbor (below) dunked for a cool drink and some tasty underwater morsels.

33 thoughts on “Always a treat to see the Purple Gallinules”

  2. 🌿 In the freshwater marsh, where lilies bloom, 🌺 A treat awaits, amid nature’s room. 🦩 Purple Gallinules, in colors bold, 💜 A sight to behold, a story untold.

    On All About Birds, their range revealed, 🗺️ From Central America, their flight congealed. 🌎 Some linger in Florida’s embrace, 🌴 Year-round guests, in nature’s grace.

    Rail family members, with elegance they stride, 🚶‍♂️ On yellow toes, across waters wide. 💧 Walking on lily pads, a ballet so grand, 💃 In marshes dense, across the land.

    Emergent vegetation, their favored ground, 🌱 In South America, where heights astound. 🏔️ In Andean wetlands, at great elevations, 🌄 Purple Gallinules, in wondrous creations.

    Choosing leaves, with meticulous care, 🍃 Their neighbor, a dunk, in waters rare. 💦 A cool drink, a tasty treat, 🥤 In the marshland’s rhythm, their lives meet.

    🌿🌺🦩💜🗺️🌎🌴🚶‍♂️💧💃🌱🏔️🌄🍃💦🥤

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    • Interesting AB. We have birds we call Purple Swamphens or Gray-headed Swamphens here, but they are have different colored legs and beak, and they’re more bulky than the Purple Gallinule. The Swamphens are also not native to Florida, though they’ve settled in very comfortably.☺️

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    • I’m not sure the difference between bird families in Old World and New World birds, but our Purple Gallinule is a member of the Rail Family. I’d say it’s much less shy than the occasional elusive Virginia Rail we see here, but more shy than the Common Gallinules which are ubiquitous here.

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