I loved watching this juvenile Purple Gallinule making his way independently through the marsh. Looks like he’s just learning the ropes. ☺️
But how do we know this a Purple Gallinule, and how can we tell it’s a juvenile?
Several unique features make it unmistakable: long, bright yellow “chicken legs”, a distinctive red and yellow beak with pale blue shield, a bright puff of white tail feathers, and emerging iridescent blue body feathers.
Nearly all of this juvenile bird’s colors are still somewhat muted, and not nearly as vibrant as they will become in adulthood. See All About Birds for more info and photos.
I just discovered this whimsical image above by artist Olimpia Zagnoli in a delightful 2016 article entitled Reimagining the Purple Gallinule (you can read it here: Audubon Magazine)!!
What a creative way to capture the brilliant colors and beauty of the mature Purple Gallinule!!
Birder's Journey 
He’s going to have to grow into those amazing feet😊. I enjoyed your videos which showed off its fine colouring!
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L O L, thanks so much, Belinda! Yes, those feet always look like they’re far too big for the bird no matter how adept they are at using them. 😉
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Those feet. I love those feet! We have a similar (and I’d imagine closely related) species here called a moorhen. It lacks the iridescent glow though.
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Yes, we have common Moorhens here too. In fact, their name was changed two years ago to Common Gallinule. Both members of the rail family. Our area has recently been populated with a related non-native species called the Purple Swamphen. Sort of looks like a purple gallinule on steroids and with slightly different coloring.
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Your videos made me smile! It does indeed look like he’s learning how to control those long legs and his fabulously big feet. But I bet he’ll be a graceful creature when he’s had time to learn… 🙂
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Thanks, Ann! I’m sure you’re right. It was fun to watch him scrambling around ☺️.
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A beautiful post on this delicate little ballet. And I also love the whimsical picture.
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Thank you so much, Berny! Great description… Delicate ballet. 😉
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Interesting, I have actually never seen a juvi Purple G before.
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Where are you located? Do you see adult purple gallinules in your area?
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No Purple Gallinules up here in Illinois, but we run into them from time to time on our January trips to Texas and then more often when we run through the Florida panhandle on our way to Dauphin Island for the Spring migration.
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I’m not familiar with Dauphin Island, so I looked it up. Sounds like a great spot! Hope you’ll see some young purple gallinules there one day.
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Great videos and artistic rendering!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the Purple Gallinule post, Tanja!
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