Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio martinica
The Purple Gallinule brings vivid blue, green, red, and yellow color to Florida’s freshwater marshes.
The Purple Gallinule brings vivid blue, green, red, and yellow color to Florida’s freshwater marshes.
A brilliant marsh bird with purple-blue underparts, green back, pale-blue forehead shield, red-and-yellow bill, yellow legs, and extremely long toes.
Climbs reeds and walks across lily pads, balancing with long toes. It swims and flies readily between wetland patches.
Safe around people. Keep a respectful distance from adults, nests, and chicks.
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Birds, active nests, and eggs must not be harmed or collected.
Habitat:
Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes and Ponds, Canals and Ditches
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Seeds, fruits, aquatic plants, insects, snails, frogs, and other small animals.
Behavior:
Climbs reeds and walks across lily pads, balancing with long toes. It swims and flies readily between wetland patches.
Daytime, Dawn, Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Spring through fall on floating vegetation in warm wetlands
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Least Concern
Safety Level:
Safe
Safety Information:
Safe around people. Keep a respectful distance from adults, nests, and chicks.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes insects and plant material and creates high wildlife-viewing value around vegetated ponds.
Property Concerns:
Removing floating vegetation, using shoreline pesticides, and allowing pets near nests cause problems.
Fun Fact:
Its toes spread its weight across floating leaves, allowing it to walk where heavier birds would sink.
Wildlife Laws:
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Birds, active nests, and eggs must not be harmed or collected.
Identification:
A brilliant marsh bird with purple-blue underparts, green back, pale-blue forehead shield, red-and-yellow bill, yellow legs, and extremely long toes.