The Quest for the Elusive Purple Gallinule

[ArthurDent]

I made a trip today to photograph Purple Gallinules. They range throughout the Southeastern United States (primarily Florida) down into Central and South America. They are in the rail family and, with their huge feet, appear to be adapted to walking on aquatic vegitation. Their colors are striking and I hope my photographs do them justice.

[Bent Hjarbo]

They do

[Wannabebetter]

I'm not an ornithologist by any stretch, however I believe the last/third image is that of the Common Gallinule. In any case, nice photos! And very informative in illustrating the fact that aquatic birds (marine or wetlands) don't necessarily have to have webbed feet to be erstwhile "swimmers". Something I had forgotten or, likely, never knew in the first place. Now, if they also dived...

[Akira]

The first image looks the most illuminative and descriptive of your explanation of this unique bird: the shape of its entire body and the huge foot are clearly seen.  Thank you for sharing!

[ArthurDent]

I'm not an ornithologist by any stretch, however I believe the last/third image is that of the Common Gallinule. In any case, nice photos! And very informative in illustrating the fact that aquatic birds (marine or wetlands) don't necessarily have to have webbed feet to be erstwhile "swimmers". Something I had forgotten or, likely, never knew in the first place. Now, if they also dived...

Well, I’m obviously no ornithologist either, I thought it was the female bird!

[Wannabebetter]

Well, I’m obviously no ornithologist either, I thought it was the female bird!

May very well be, a female bird. But near as I can ascertain, not a Purple Gallinule. Rather, a Common Gallinule. [re: Cornell Lab of Ornithology]

Incidently: I'm also not a grammatician however I deferred to the traditional "dived" in my initial post less I default to my native argot and use "dove" -- which doesn't float -- and seriously obfuscate the situation. Peace!

[ArthurDent]

The first image looks the most illuminative and descriptive of your explanation of this unique bird: the shape of its entire body and the huge foot are clearly seen.  Thank you for sharing!

You are quite welcome. The next time you are in Central Florida, please reserve a day for nature photography and I will take you to some interesting spots.

[Akira]

You are quite welcome. The next time you are in Central Florida, please reserve a day for naturel photography and I will take you to some interesting spots.

Thank you for your kind offer.  That sounds like a must!

[Peter Connan]

A very striking bird.

I am often amazed by how there are very similar species on different continents. Here is his African cousin:

[Hugh_3170]

Yes Peter, you are right.

Your image is very similar to the New Zealand Pukeko and the Australian swamp hen.

A very striking bird.

I am often amazed by how there are very similar species on different continents. Here is his African cousin:

[Peter Connan]

Thanks Hugh!