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American Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Description:

American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) at Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park, Florida. Usually reclusive and shy, this one was fairly much out in the open. << The American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) is... in the rail family Rallidae. A medium-sized rail (33 centimetres (13 in) in length) with big yellow feet, purple-blue plumage with a green back, and red and yellow bill. It has a pale blue forehead shield and white undertail. >>

Habitat:

The American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) is a "swamp hen" in the rail family Rallidae. A medium-sized rail (33 centimetres (13 in) in length) with big yellow feet, purple-blue plumage with a green back, and red and yellow bill. It has a pale blue forehead shield and white undertail. Juveniles are brown overall with a brownish olive back. Their breeding habitat is warm swamps and marshes in southeastern states of the United States and the tropical regions of Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. This species is resident in southern Florida and the tropics, but most American birds are migratory, wintering south to Argentina. The nest is a floating structure in a marsh. Five to ten eggs are laid. Their coloration is buff with brown spots. The diet of these rails is omnivorous, being known to include a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including seeds, leaves and fruits of both aquatic and terrestrial plants, as well as insects, frogs, snails, spiders, earthworms and fish. They have also been known to eat the eggs and young of other birds. (credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pu.........)

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6 Comments

JackEng
JackEng 11 years ago

Melissa,
Thank you so much!
You're welcome... I do enjoy showing off the birds we're so lucky to see, observe and photographing here in FL.

MelissaFerguson
MelissaFerguson 11 years ago

Really enjoyed this series...great photographs! Beautiful colours!! Thank you for posting to Florida's Flora & Fauna...always appreciate it!!

JackEng
JackEng 11 years ago

harsuame,
Muchas gracias! I am glad you enjoyed the images.

rutasandinas
rutasandinas 11 years ago

Muy bella grandioso

JackEng
JackEng 11 years ago

Alice,
Thanks you!
Yes, they do have over-sized feet - along with the Common Gallinule (formerly the Common Moorhen)...

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 11 years ago

I guess both the Coots and Purple Gallinule have big feet. Very nice series.

JackEng
Spotted by
JackEng

Homestead, Florida, USA

Spotted on Apr 7, 2012
Submitted on Apr 12, 2012

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