Common Gallinule

Description:

The Common Gallinule (also known as the "swamp chicken is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution.

Habitat:

This is a common breeding bird in marsh environments and well-vegetated lakes. Populations in areas where the waters freeze, such as southern Canada, and the northern USA, will migrate to more temperate climes. This species will consume a wide variety of vegetable material and small aquatic creatures. They forage beside or in the water, sometimes upending in the water to feed. It is often secretive, but can become tame in some areas. Despite loss of habitat in parts of its range, the Common Gallinule remains plentiful and widespread. They fight over territories and also hop around Lily pads. (Wikipedia)

Notes:

These two were spotted on a very small inland pond in Dunedin, Florida. They were easy to photograph as they swam near the shoreline in pairs. Despite being "common", they are are very striking to look at, with their red, yellow and black colours.