Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 14.6–14.2 in
37–36 cm - Wingspan
- 21.7 in
55 cm - Weight
- 7.3–10.2 oz
208–288 g
Other Names
- Talève violacée, Gallinule violacée (French)
- Gallineta morada (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The Purple Gallinue is essentially a tropical marshbird that just makes its way into the United States. But some go even farther afield. The Purple Gallinule, despite appearing to be an awkward flier, regularly turns up in northern states and southen Canada. It has even been found numerous times in Europe and South Africa.
Habitat
Marsh
Freshwater marshes with dense stands of floating vegetation.
Food
Omnivore
Seeds, flowers, fruits, grains, ans some invertebrates.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Egg Description
- Creamy white with small, irregular brown spots.
- Condition at Hatching
- Covered with black down, leave nest within one day. Fed by parents.
Nest Description
Bowl of grasses on floating mat of vegetation or attached to emergent vegetation.
Nest Placement
Floating
Behavior
Ground Forager
Conservation
Least Concern
Credits
- West, R. L., and G. K. Hess. 2002. Purple Gallinule (Porphyrula martinica). In The Birds of North America, No. 626 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.