Purple Gallinule

Description: . The purple gallinule is possibly the most colorful of all birds breeding in North America. The head and chest are purple, blue, and green, while the bill is red with a yellow tip and extends up to a bluish-purple shield on the forehead. The feet and legs are light yellow. The sexes are similar in appearance. Average size: 11-14 inches. Average weight: 8-12 ounces.

Science: Birds breed in the southeastern United States and parts of Mexico. Birds in the northern part of the range migrate to the southern areas. Occasionally, vagrants may be found across the United States. While generally solitary, migrating birds may form small flocks in the fall. They eat pond plants and seeds, wild and domestic rice, and larval aquatic insects. They emit a variety of squawks. The population is thought to be stable.

Hunting: Most birds are taken incidentally by hunters seeking waterfowl, but are sometimes hunted intentionally. They are not known to decoy. Most often they are pass-shot or jump shot. The eating quality is fair: the meat can be strong-tasting.