This colorful rail is usually found among floating vegetation in southeastern wetlands. Purple Gallinules appear more slender and longer-winged than similar Common Moorhen. Adult: The head and underparts are bluish-purple, except for the bright white undertail coverts. Upperparts are green, with bluish-green wing coverts. The red bill has a yellow tip and a pale blue frontal shield. The legs and long toes are yellow. Juvenile: The head and underparts are buffy brown, fading to white on the throat, belly, and undertail coverts. The upperparts are greenish brown. The bill is dull greenish-brown. Legs and feet are dull yellow. Downy chicks are black with a red and black banded bill.

Length: 27 (cm) Wingspan: 53 (cm)

Voice:

Calls include a wide variety of sharp notes and grunts.

Habitat:

Freshwater wetlands with floating and emergent vegetation, rice fields.

Behavior:

Somewhat secretive, Purple Gallinules frequently walk on floating vegetation and through brush. They seldom swim in open water.

Feeding:

Feeds on seeds and flowers of aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates.