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purple gallinule
Porphyrio martinicus
29.3947, -95.8422
Field Notes
Description:
This is a medium-sized rail, measuring 26–37 cm (10–15 in) in length, spanning 50–61 cm (20–24 in) across the wings and weighing 141–305 g (5.0–10.8 oz). Males, averaging 257 g (9.1 oz) in mass, are slightly larger than females, at 215 g (7.6 oz) on average. The adult Purple gallinule has 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. Darkness or low light can dim the bright purple-blue plumage of the adult to make them look dusky or brownish, although the forehead shield color differentiates them from similar species such as Common Gallinules.
Juveniles are brown overall with a brownish olive back. These gallinules will fly short distances with dangling legs.
Habitat:
marshland
Notes:
The nest is a floating structure in a marsh. Five to ten eggs are laid. Their coloration is buff with brown spots.
Their diet 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.
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