A-Z Challenge – G is for GALLINULE

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Purple Gallinule

The Purple Gallinule is one of the most colorful birds in North America. They are found in the southernmost part of the United States, along the coasts of Mexico, South America and throughout Central America. Interesting fact is they have shown up in Iceland, Switzerland, South Georgia Island, the Galápagos and South Africa.

Purple Gallinules hang out in dense freshwater wetlands. They can be fairly easy to spot as they walk on top of floating vegetation such as water lilies, lotus, water hyacinth and hydrilla. Even though they stick out because of their color, the green in their top feathers blends well with vegetation. We saw this single Purple Gallinule in Sweetwater Wetlands Park in Gainesville, Florida. It was foraging for frogs, invertebrates or tubers directly under the boardwalk which is unusual to see them this close up. Purple Gallinules are part of the rail family and is about the size of a chicken.

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This is my first time participating in April Blogging from A-Z Challenge. As a birder and photographer, I will be sharing a new bird with you every day. I host a weekly photo challenge called Bird Weekly and would love for you to stop by anytime. Join in if that is your thing too.

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