Azure Gallinule (Porphyrio flavirostris)

Identification & Behavior: ~24 cm (9.4 in). The Azure Gallinule is light blue in the head, neck, breast, and wing coverts. The underparts are mostly pale. The back is brownish. The undertail feathers are white. The legs and bill are yellowish.  Adult birds can be mistaken with juvenile Purple Gallinules, but are distinguished by azure coloration, smaller size, and yellowish bill.  Juveniles of both species are rather similar, but Azure Gallinule are smaller.

Status: The Azure Gallinule is generally rare and its status is poorly understood. It seems to be reported from sites along the Rio Napo in Loreto and Rio Madre de Dios and tributaries in southeastern Peru. It appears it is a non-breeding visitor in Peru. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Polla de Agua Azulada.

Sub-species: Azure Gallinule (Porphyrio flavirostris) Gmelin, 1789.

Meaning of Name: Porphyrio: Gr. porphurion, porphyrio= marsh hen. flavirostris: L. flavus= yellow and rostris= nozzle, beak.

See more of the Family Rallidae