Purple Gallinule

The Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) is a swamphen in the genus Porphyrio. It is in the order Gruiformes, meaning "crane-like", an order which also contains cranes, rails, and crakes. During the breeding season, these birds can be seen in the southeastern states of the United States. They are a resident species in sections of Central America, the Caribbean, southern Florida, and the Gulf and Pacific coasts of Mexico. They can be found farther inland in regions of Central America during the non-breeding season. During migration, they can also be found in South America, and stray animals occasionally get up as far north as Canada. Freshwater marshes with substantial vegetative cover are the species' natural habitat.

When in good lighting, an adult purple gallinule's purple-blue feathers will reflect green and turquoise. In addition to the red and yellow bill, adults also have a shield with a pale blue border on their foreheads. Darkness or low light can make the adult's vivid purple-blue plumage appear dusky or brownish, but the forehead shield color sets them apart from related species like common gallinules. The bill and forehead shield of immature purple gallinules are pale in color, and they have purple feathers on their breast. Young birds have white under tail coverts and are light brown overall with hints of green-bronze on the wings and back.