Today's featured feathered friend is the Purple Gallinule, a member of the Rail family. Birds in this family have cone shaped bills and very large feet that allow them to walk on floating vegetation without sinking.
In bright lighting conditions the Purple Gallinules are stunning. They have dark purple heads, necks and undersides, with greenish backs and very large yellow feet. Their bills are red with a yellow tip. They have light blue "frontal shields" on their foreheads, and bright white feathers under their tails. Adults are about 13 inches in length, weigh around 9 ounces and have a 22 inch wingspan. Adult males and females are similar in appearance with the male being slightly larger. Juveniles are brownish overall with an olive green back.
Purple Gallinules can be found in the tropical regions of the Caribbean, Central and South America. They also inhabit and breed in the swamps and marshes of the southeastern United States. The south Florida population are year-round residents, but most American birds migrate to South America for the winter.
On a recent trip to The Celery Fields in Sarasota, we got a nice video of a Purple Gallinule climbing on alligator flags (marsh vegetation), foraging for food. Check out the video by clicking here ----> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyew1-RTEbA . Enjoy these photos of the colorful Purple Gallinule.....tweet.....tweet!!
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| (Taken 6/12/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL) |
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| Taken 9/5/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL) |
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| Purple Gallinule chicks (Taken 9/5/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL) |
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| (Taken 9/5/2013, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL) |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Purple_Gallinule
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