Purple Gallinule: A spectacular marsh bird

Purple Gallinule is a spectacular marsh bird which may possibly also referred to as locally as the Yellow-legged Gallinule, is known for generating its nest as the  floating structure in the marsh. The Purple Gallinule is truly 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). This stunning marsh bird is often referred as the American Purple Gallinule and it has blue and green feathers, lengthy yellow legs, really lengthy toes and a red bill with a yellow tip. The purple gallinule has its original habitat in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. It winters on the Gulf Coast. It is also located in the Central and South America and in some parts of the West Indies.

Purple Gallinule walks on the water plants like Swamp Hen – Image by Shell Game

Purple Gallinule is an omnivorous which eats a wide range of seeds, leaves and fruits. They also eat insects, frogs, small fish, snails and some other earthworms with relish. It swims on the surface of water like a duck and walks on floating plants like a chicken and these birds often use their feet to hold meals whilst they are consuming. These gallinules will fly brief distances with dangling legs.

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) – Image by Lip Kee on flickr

Purple Gallinule, the gorgeous marsh bird has one more well-known species which occurs about the Mediterranean area and is extensively distributed in Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. This purple gallinule is recognized as Porphyrio porphyrio, often known as purple swamphen and it is about 45 cm extended.