Purple Gallinule

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus)

Today's weekly informational page is of a very special and magnificent organism - the purple gallinule. This species is a common and widespread member of the rail family in the New World. However, in North America barring Mexico and the Caribbean Islands, they are only found in the Southeastern part of the United States. Purple gallinules are year round residents throughout Florida. During the breeding season, some may wander into areas of the Gulf Coast, as well as places along the Atlantic Coast (usually only North to extreme Southern North Carolina). Vagrants have occasionally made it to New England and as far North as places such as Labrador. At other times, vagrant purple gallinules have strayed as far out as Africa and Europe.

Like many rails, it prefers freshwater marshes and reed-y areas with dense vegetation. Places with dense, floating vegetation is also acceptable. A sizeable amount of its diet is actually vegetable matter, consisting of grains, seeds and flowers. It will, though, feed on some invertebrates such as worms and insects. Nests are built on emergent vegetation on water or on mats of reeds.

While it still is currently listed as Least Concern, the purple gallinule is on the 2014 State of the Birds Report as a common bird in steep decline.

For More Information:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Gallinule/id

https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/purple-gallinule