Porphyrio martinicus

(Linnaeus, 1766)

Vernacular names
English : Purple gallinule
French : Talève violacée

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Gruiformes
Family : Rallidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow to 36 cm in length for a weight of 305 g. Similar to P. alleni but larger. Yellow legs, red bill with yellow tip and blue comb. Coloration mostly purplish-blue, lighter on nape. Wings are dark olive-green.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in south-east USA, south to Caribbean islands, Central America and south America to north Argentina. Lives in coastal and inland wetlands with lots of vegetation, grassy swamps.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : Common in suitable habitat but wetland quality is important for population stability, meaning that species could become threatened by habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA)

 

Back to “Rails” page