Purple Moorhen

Susan, the American purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) is a close relative of purple swamphens/moorhens (Porphyrio porphyrio). The word gallinule describes a group of birds, that along with, crakes, coots and rails, make up the family rallidae.

Wow, that is so much more impressive than the common moorhens we have in England. What a beautiful set of pictures! @Susan, as far as I'm aware, gallinules are in the same family as moorhens, and I think the name is interchangeable for some species. As a general rule, moorhens are smaller than gallinules :)

is moorhen the same as gallinule?

We have the darkest form in Tasmania, auntnance. They are exceptionally good at thwarting my attempts to photograph them

lovely ctsetan!!

Very nice. Thanks for the introduction; I didn't know there were so many. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Swamphen

Is this Moorhen walking on Lotus leafs spread on water..?

Cute bird...

Lovely photos. I think this is easily the most beautiful of all the purple moorhens.