Family:
The American purple gallinule is a medium-sized marsh bird with a compact body, a short tail, a conical bill, and long legs and toes. Its plumage is bluish-purple, with a green and turquoise back that changes in colour depending on the light, while its undertail is white. In low light, it may appear dusky grey or brown. It has a red bill with a yellow tip, a blue frontal shield, and bright yellow legs and feet.
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American purple gallinules are omnivorous and eat leaves, seeds, and fruit of both aquatic and terrestrial plants, insects, larvae, spiders, snails, worms, frogs, and fish. They also eat the eggs and chicks of other species of birds.
During breeding season, the American purple gallinule is found in the southeastern United States, parts of Central America, and the Caribbean. In winter, it can also be found South America, while northern populations move further inland. It inhabits freshwater marshes with dense vegetation and rice fields. Its long toes allow it to walk on floating lily pads and other aquatic plants, as well as cling to plant stems.
The species exhibits a remarkable pattern of vagrancy, with individuals recorded as far afield as California, the Galápagos Islands, Iceland, Labrador, South Africa, and various European countries. Recent studies suggest that these movements are not accidental but rather a search for food.
