Common Gallinule Photo Gallery
Adult
Medium-sized marsh bird with long yellow legs and toes. Adults are charcoal gray with a bright red bill and forehead shield. Note white stripe down the side and white outer tail feathers.
© Louis Hoeniger / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 26, 2017Immature
Immature birds are dark gray below with a gray head and neck; they are dark brown above. They lack the adult's red bill and shield, but they still have a white stripe down the side that helps identify them.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 06, 2017Adult
Forages in shallow wetlands, taking aquatic vegetation from the surface or just below, or picking snails and other invertebrates from submerged plants.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 18, 2009Not all videos have soundJuvenile
Juveniles are pale brown overall, with paler underparts and a dull greenish bill and shield. Note the characteristic white stripe down the side.
© Nick Komar / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 01, 2016Adult and juvenile
Chicks are covered in black down and are capable of swimming within one day of hatching.
© Todd A. Watkins / Macaulay LibraryPennsylvania, July 16, 2017Adult
Long toes make it possible to walk on soft mud and floating vegetation. Often walks with its tail cocked up, showing the white sides.
© David Disher / Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, May 21, 2016Adult
Despite not having webbed feet, it swims with ease.
© John Whigham / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 12, 2016Adult
Medium-sized marsh bird that appears dark overall. The red bill, white flank stripe, and white stripe on the tail separate it from similar species.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 20, 2017Adult (with American Coot)
Smaller than an American Coot (right) with a bright red bill and shield.
© Max Wilson / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, April 26, 2015Habitat
Found in freshwater or brackish marshes with tall emergent vegetation, ponds, canals, and rice fields.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 12, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family: Rallidae)
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