Common Gallinule (immature)

Description:

These two birds swam to the edge and left the pond. They quickly disappeared into the reeds. The most widely distributed member of the rail family, the Common Gallinule inhabits marshes and ponds from Canada to Chile, from northern Europe to southern Africa, and across Asia to the Pacific. Vocal and boldly marked, the species can be quite conspicuous, sometimes using its long toes to walk atop floating vegetation. Swims on surface of water like a duck. Juvenile brownish-gray with drab maroon bill and no frontal shield.

Habitat:

Pintail Drive and Boardwalk in the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is a three mile driving loop through moist soil wetlands managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service to provide feeding/resting habitat for wintering waterfowl. Excellent viewing of a variety of wildlife (lots of alligators!) as well as migratory birds year round. Huge waterfowl populations for viewing and photography opportunities in the fall and winter. There is a also a half mile accessible boardwalk with viewing scopes.

Notes:

Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve and protect wintering waterfowl and their habitat. It was the first refuge established under the auspices of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The refuge is located approximately 25 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, in north central Cameron Parish. It contains 9,621 acres that include fresh marsh, coastal prairie, and old rice fields (currently moist soil units). Located at the convergence of two major flyways, the refuge has an important role in management for migratory birds.