Purple Gallinule
Porphyrula martinica Anhinga Trail, Everglades,
Florida
March 2000 Photographed by: Dana LaVanture
Descriptive Information
- Field marks: beautiful almost
irridescent bird with purple-blue head and belly; green back; yellow legs;
bill is red with yellow tip; light blue patch on top of head; ducklike
- General habitat: freshwater marshes
- Geographic range: Florida and extreme
southeastern US and down eastern coast of Mexico
- Ecosystem(s) where observed: freshwater
marshes
Feeding Habits
- The beautiful Purple Gallinule lives
primarily in freshwater marshes. It has very large feet and walks around,
often on lily pads, looking for food. It feeds in shallow water and
eats grains, seeds, frogs, and small invertebrates. The method it employs
to catch its food is much like a chicken pecking for grain.
Links to Images
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External Links
(This page developed by: Dana LaVanture)