Purple Gallinule -- South Dakota Birds

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrula martinica

The Purple Gallinule is primarily a bird of the extreme southeastern U.S. and the tropics of Central and South America.  However, individual birds have been known to occasionally wander long distances, including many records of birds crossing the Atlantic.  It is still an extremely rare visitor to South Dakota, however.

Habitat: Found in large, densely vegetated wetlands with still or very slowly moving water.  Prefers areas with floating vegetation such as lily pads.

Diet: Eats a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including leaves, seeds, fruits, berries, insects, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and small amphibians.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota.

Song: Variety of whining and clucking notes.  To listen to this bird, click here to go to the "E-nature.com" site for the Purple Gallinule, and click on "listen to this species". 

Migrations: Summers in much of the extreme Southeastern U.S. through eastern Texas.  Winters mainly in Florida in the U.S., as well as Mexico and Central America.  

Similar Species: Common Moorhen, American Coot

Status: While still common in many areas, numbers have declined locally as habitat has been destroyed. 

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Purple Gallinule

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Purple Gallinule"

3) E-nature.com: Purple Gallinule

Photo Information: February, 2006 - Everglades National Park - Photo by Stefan Ekernas.

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This page was last edited on 02/03/08