Common Gallinule Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCommon Gallinule
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 sound
Juvenile
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, 2017Similar SpeciesAmerican Coot
Adult
The American Coot lacks the Common Gallinule's white stripe down the sides. It also has a white (not red) bill.
© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 27, 2010Similar SpeciesAmerican Coot
Juvenile
Juvenile American Coots differ from juvenile Common Gallinules by the color of the underparts: pale gray on American Coots and darker gray on Common Gallinules.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 09, 2017Similar SpeciesPurple Gallinule
Adult
Purple Gallinules lack the white stripe down their sides that Common Gallinules have. They are also more brightly colored than Common Gallinules.
© Geoff Hill / Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, July 10, 2010Similar SpeciesPurple Gallinule
Juvenile
Juvenile Purple Gallinules are pale brown with bronze tints in the wings, whereas juvenile Common Gallinules are brownish gray overall.
© Jamie Baker / Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, July 13, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family: Rallidae)
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