purple gallinule

1. Bird Name
English Name: Purple Gallinule
Scientific (Latin) Name: Porphyrio martinicus

2. Appearance
This unusually-coloured bird features an arresting mix of blue and green plumage with a dark purple face in adult birds. Its colourful appearance extends to its yellow legs and bright red and yellow beak, which is tipped with a light blue frontal shield. The bird’s eyes sparkle in red. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find a soft texture on the bright feathers. The immature purple gallinules are less vibrant, showcasing a brownish hue with a white underbelly. Both sexes exhibit the same coloration and there’s no sexual dimorphism apparent in the species.

3. Size
Purple Gallinules on average grow to approximately 26-37 cm (10-14.5 inches) in length. They display a wingspan of around 50-60 cm (19-24 inches). When it comes to weight, these birds are relatively light for their size, typically weighing between 141-305 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
This striking bird can be found across a broad geographical range that includes southeastern parts of the United States, Central America, and a major chunk of South America. It is also spotted in Africa, Madagascar, and India. The Purple Gallinule is a great fan of wetlands and marshy environments with ample vegetation where it forages and nests.

5. Interesting Facts
The Purple Gallinule is an excellent climber, thanks to its long toes, and is often seen perched in vegetation or on tree branches. These birds also exhibit a curious behavior of fluffing up their wings to exhibit their white underwing patterns, a sight to behold. Another interesting fact is their powerful flight; despite being primarily considered a wetland bird, they can migrate considerable distances.

6. Diet
Purple Gallinules are omnivorous. They feed on a variety of items including insects, snails, frogs, and even small fish when the opportunity arises. They’re also known to eat fruits and grains, and vegetation forms a major part of their diet.

7. Behavior & Sounds
These birds are known for their strong territorial behavior, especially during breeding season. Their call is a distinctive, high-pitched “kwuk-kwuk” sound. Interestingly, these birds often walk on floating vegetation using their long toes, allowing them to forage across water bodies.

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Purple Gallinule is of “Least Concern” with a large and stable population reported across its distribution range.

9. Lifespan
The Purple Gallinule typically lives up to 22 years in the wild. However, in captivity, they can live for nearly 11 years.

10. Additional Notes
Locally, in various regions it is known by different names, such as “Gallito” in Spanish-speaking regions, “Morococo” in Venezuela and “Jaçanã-roxo” in Brazil. Their role in their ecosystem is significant, as they help control insect and snail populations, and also disperse seeds through their various foraging activities. The Purple Gallinule and humans have a minimal interaction largely confined to bird watchers and ornithologists who are attracted to their striking colours. They also hold intrinsic value for bird-related ecotourism activities.