Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus)

Identification & Behavior: ~30 cm (12 in). The Purple Gallinule has a purple-blue head that grades to blue in the underparts and olive-green on the upperparts. The bill is mostly bright red with a light blue bare forehead. It has white undertail feathers. The legs are yellowish. Immature birds are brown with shades of olive. The bill is yellowish. Adults are unmistakable, but juveniles are very similar to adults and juveniles of the Azure Gallinule.

Status: The Purple Gallinule is uncommon in Amazonia where it is generally found at the edges of oxbow lakes. It is also a vagrant species in the coastal lowlands, but mostly juveniles. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Polla de Agua Morada.

Sub-species: Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) Linnaeus, 1766.

Meaning of Name: Porphyrio: Gr. porphurion, porphyrio= marsh hen. martinicus: L. concerning the island of Martinique in the Caribbean.

See more of the Family Rallidae