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MarshBunny Notes
The St. Johns River The Intracoastal and Beyond
Purple Gallinule
Purple Gallinule at edge of river


The Purple Gallinule is the same size and shape as the usual marsh hen, but has bright, iridescent colors like a peacock.

It is fairly rare to see one of these birds. I've seen a few mated pairs living close together, but never a whole flock together, like the black gallinules live.

Purple Gallinule amongst the trees

Despite his bright colors, this bird blends in quickly as he steps into the shadows of the underbrush.

His long yellow toes enable him to climb through the bushes, walk over dense plants at the edge of the water, and wade through thick grass.

When wading in grassy areas, these long greenish-yellow legs are invisible.
Purple Gallinule
Purple Gallinule at edge of river
We spotted a family of Purple Gallinule along the edge of the river. One of the parents started herding the chicks into the shelter of the underbrush while the other stayed close to us - making loud noises to attract our attention and playing the old "broken wing" ruse. (Had me fooled for a minute, he was so convincing!)
Purple Gallinule with "broken" wing
Purple Gallinule with "broken" wing
Once the chicks were safe and we backed off the decoy bird headed into the trees to rejoin the rest of the family.
Purple Gallinule

Here is a short movie of a young purple gallinule feeding on a bank of the river.

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