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.
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.
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!)
Once the
chicks were safe and we backed off the decoy bird headed into
the trees to rejoin the rest of the family.
Here
is a short movie of a young purple gallinule feeding on a bank
of the river.
