Porphyrula martinica                                           Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

The extravagantly colored purple gallinule is found throughout Florida’s swamps and marshes.  These rails prefer wetlands with lily pads and other emergent vegetation.  Purple gallinules are often seen climbing or walking in the thick aquatic vegetation using their incredibly long toes to support themselves.

Purple gallinules live in family groups — older young help feed the new clutch and defend the territory. 

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