American Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio martinica
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderGruiformes (Cranes, Rails, and Allies)
- FamilyRallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
- GenusPorphyrio (Swamphens and Blue Gallinules)
- SpeciesPorphyrio martinica (American Purple Gallinule)
About the American Purple Gallinule
The purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) is a species of swamphen found in the Americas. It is in the order Gruiformes, meaning "crane-like", an order which also contains cranes, rails, and crakes. The purple gallinule is a rail species, placing it into the family Rallidae. It is also known locally as the yellow-legged gallinule. The specific name martinica denotes "of Martinique".
The purple gallinule is a medium-sized rail, measuring 26–37 cm (10–15 in) in length, spanning 50–61 cm (20–24 in) across the wings and weighing 141–305 g (5.0–10.8 oz). Males, averaging 257 g (9.1 oz) in mass, are slightly larger than females, at 215 g (7.6 oz) on average. An adult purple gallinule has purple-blue plumage that will shine green and turquoise when in good lighting. Adults also have a pale blue shield on their forehead, which connects with the red and yellow bill. Darkness or low light can dim the bright purple-blue plumage of the adult to make them look dusky or brownish, although the forehead shield color differentiates them from similar species such as common gallinules. Immature purple gallinules are a brown-bronze color, with purple feathers on chest, and the bill and... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of American Purple Gallinule in Table Mountain National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Table Mountain National Park
Western Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
Red-knobbed Coot
Fulica cristata
Baillon's Crake
Porzana pusilla
Buff-spotted Flufftail
Sarothrura elegans
Striped Flufftail
Sarothrura affinis
Black Crake
Amaurornis flavirostra
Blue Crane
Anthropoides paradiseus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a American Purple Gallinule in Table Mountain National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a American Purple Gallinule sighting in Table Mountain National Park, based on 48 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see American Purple Gallinule in Table Mountain National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for American Purple Gallinule in Table Mountain National Park in our monthly data.