Purple Gallinules of the Everglades
Ranked #840 in Pets & Animals, #23,438 overall
American Purple Gallinule
Gallinules are spectacular creatures. The can be found walking on water lilies in the canals throughout the Everglades.
One day we took a trip to the Everglades and saw a Purple Gallinule for the first time. It's vibrant colors are unbelievable. We just had to learn more about them.
The excitement that comes from getting to know these brilliantly colored birds can be used to make learning come alive. This lens offers a chance for young children to become Purple Gallinules as they learn color words, explore bird anatomy, walk on lily pads and write with feather plumes.
Pull up your yellow tights, flap your purple wings and tiptoe through the lily pad learning centers.
One day we took a trip to the Everglades and saw a Purple Gallinule for the first time. It's vibrant colors are unbelievable. We just had to learn more about them.
The excitement that comes from getting to know these brilliantly colored birds can be used to make learning come alive. This lens offers a chance for young children to become Purple Gallinules as they learn color words, explore bird anatomy, walk on lily pads and write with feather plumes.
Pull up your yellow tights, flap your purple wings and tiptoe through the lily pad learning centers.
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinule Perches on a Tree Branch Animal Photographic Poster Print, 30x40
on Flickr, Creative Commons
American Purple Gallinule
The American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) is also called a "swamp hen". It is a member of the rail family or Rallidae.Purple Gallinules have huge yellow feet. Don't they remind you of yellow rain boots? Their raincoats are made of purple-blue plumage with a green back. Spectacular! They top it all off with a bright red and yellow bill! But amazingly enough the colors don't stop there. They also have a pale blue forehead shield and white feathers under their tails. Were there any colors missing from the rainbow? Did you say orange? I do believe that their red bills have a tinge of orange.
Photo Credit:Purple Gallinule by Tom Vezo/Minden
Available on Allposters
The young baby gallinules are brown rather than purple which, of course, helps to camouflage them. Like chickens, gallinules are able to fly short distances. When flying you will notice that their legs dangle.
Galinules breed in warm swamps and marshes in southeastern states of the United States and the tropical regions of Central America and the Caribbean. The Purple Gallinules that I saw were in Florida and may live year round in the Everglades. Most Purple Gallinules, however, are migratory and fly south as far as Argentina for the winter.
Photo Credit: Moorhen's Nest by don_macauley on Flickr, Creative Commons
Photo Credit: Moorhen Nest by anemoneprojectors on Flickr, Creative Commons
The Purple Gallinules make a nest that floats on marshy waters where they lay 5 to 10 light, tan eggs with brown spots.
Purple Gallinules are know to eat a variety of both plants and animals so they are categorized as omnivores. Purple Gallinules eat seeds, leaves and fruits both in the water and on land. They have also been know to eat insects, frogs, snails, spiders, earthworms and fish. Sometimes Purple Gallinules will even eat eggs and chicks of other species of birds.
Purple Gallinules are related to the much larger Purple Swamphens that live in southern Europe.
Watch the Purple Gallinule
Watch the Purple Gallinule walk around on grasses in the Everglades.
powered by Youtube
Purple Gallinules in the News!
Painting of a Purple Gallinule and other Marsh Birds
Allan Brooks
Available at Allposters
- CSI Action Is for the Birds - and Pythons
- It turns out that Everglades National Park has a growing demand for experts in snake-meal identification. Among the other birds eaten by pythons, Purple Gallinules have been found on the menu.
- It looks like a duck, but it still tastes lousy!
- I did my duty to my Dad and became a hunter - briefly. In my hunting days, two in number, I actually killed two birds, neither a duck. It was decreed that I had to dress and eat my harvest, as well.
The second conquest was a mudhen - an American coot. First cousin to the Purple Gallinule. It is actually a rail and is called a mudhen because it tastes a lot like the mud in which it often forages.
It tastes lousy! - Florida species prospects mixed in national bird study
- Some resident marsh birds such as purple gallinules, green heron and king rails are declining.
What do the Purple Gallinules Eat?
Purple Gallinule Food
Gallinules are more vegetarian than other members of the rail family. They feed on berries, fruit, grain and seeds.They sometimes climbing up stalks to forage on seed heads.
They also eat both terrestrial and aquatic plants and they're also known to eat insects, frogs and occasionally eggs and other small birds.
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinule by Jerry Downs
on Flickr, Creative Commons
Purple Gallinule Sorting Activity
1. Make a collection of some of the foods that a gallinule eats. Have the children sort them.
2. Make patterns with the foods that the gallinules eat.
Photo Credit: Moorhen and chick by zabdiel
on Flickr, Creative Commons
Their chicks, like other members of the rail family, are precocial.
In Biology, the term precocial refers to species in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. The opposite developmental strategy is called "altricial", where the young are born helpless.
Extremely precocial species may be called "superprecocial".
Precocial birds, including many ground-nesting species, have offspring that are born with well-ossified skeletons, with good sight, and covered with feathers. They depend on the attending parent(s) to brood them with body heat for a short period of time. Precocial birds find their own food, sometimes with help or instruction from the parents. Examples of precocial birds include the domestic chicken, many species of ducks and geese, and rails and crakes.
Photo Credit: Extended Definition: precocial
From Webster's Online Dictionary
Purple Gallinule Family
Gallinule father, mother and chicks
Drew has made an incredible photo display of a day in the life of a Purple Gallinule Family.
Show the children the pictures and talk about what each of the gallinules are doing and why.
1. Ask the children to draw pictures of a gallinule doing something.
2. Remind the children that verbs are words that tell what someone or something is doing.
3. Help the children write a sentence about what their gallinule is doing.
4. Make the pages into a class book and read it to the class.
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinule Hen and Chick
on Flickr, Creative Commons
- Drew's Birds: Purple Gallinule Family
- Scattered around the lotus leaves were 3 Gallinule chicks. The bravest kept checking me out as the clouds darkened and night was closing in...
- Purple Gallinule - wildbird.com
- Purple Gallinule: Medium, chicken-like marsh bird with purple-blue upperparts washed with iridescent green, deep blue underparts. Forehead is pale blue; bill is red and yellow-tipped. Undertail coverts are white. Legs are yellow with very long toes. The flight is labored and slow with dangling legs.
The Art of the Purple Gallinule
Learn how to draw or paint a Purple Gallinule
Limpkins on left and gallinules ignore a sluggish alligator
National Geographic
Available at Allposters
Robert Bateman, inspired by Japanese art, painted this Gallinule encircled by the flamboyant iris leaves and flowers creating a pattern against the flat background of water.
It is important to teach children how to draw as well as expose them to art by accomplished artists to inspire them to illustrate the books they write.
American Purple Gallinule Costume
Dress-up as a Purple Gallinule
Photo Credit: Bird Costume
Available from Joyful Costumes
The Purple Gallinule is an amazing bird. It walks gingerly on it's long yellow legs across the water stepping from lily pad to lily pad.
Children love to put on bright yellow tights and imitate the gallinule while walking in single file stepping on lily pads you make out of green foam sheets.
Write vocabulary words on each of the lily pads and have the children read them as they step on them.
Color Words and Purple Gallinules
Purple Gallinule Colors
Challange your students to find all the colors of the rainbow when labeling a picture of a Purple Gallinule.
Purple Gallinules appear to be chickens living in a swamp but what colors they sport! The upper parts of their bodies are covered in a purple-blue with iridescent green and deep blue underparts that sparkle in the sun. The forehead of the Purple Gallinule is pale blue which contrasts nicely with its red and yellow bill. Under the Purple Gallinule's tail the feathers are white while its legs are yellow with very long toes.
When flying the Purple Gallinule reminds us again of a chicken as its flight is slow, gangly with its legs just dangling down.
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinule
on Flickr, Creative Commons
Purple Gallinules appear to be chickens living in a swamp but what colors they sport! The upper parts of their bodies are covered in a purple-blue with iridescent green and deep blue underparts that sparkle in the sun. The forehead of the Purple Gallinule is pale blue which contrasts nicely with its red and yellow bill. Under the Purple Gallinule's tail the feathers are white while its legs are yellow with very long toes.
When flying the Purple Gallinule reminds us again of a chicken as its flight is slow, gangly with its legs just dangling down.
Purple Galinule Anatomy
Anatomy of Purple Galinules and other birds
Bird's skeletons are amazingly thin in comparison to their appearance with feathers on. When you eat a turkey or chicken, be sure to have the children help you clean the bones and talk about what part of the body each bone comes from.
Find the average height and length of a turkey or chicken and compare it to the skeleton.
Notice that a turkey or chicken's skeleton is similar to the skeleton of a purple gallinule.
Find the average height and length of a turkey or chicken and compare it to the skeleton.
Notice that a turkey or chicken's skeleton is similar to the skeleton of a purple gallinule.
Read and Write about Purple Gallinules
Books about Purple Gallinules
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinule, (Porphyrua martinica) seen in the Florida Everglades
on Flickr, Creative Commons.
It has been hard to find books that are written at an emergent reader level so we write our own.
After going on a field trip, read about gallinules or watched a movie, have the children help you write books
1. Make a chart of all the words that they can brainstorm about Purple Gallinules.
2. Cut sheets of computer paper in half and then fold them in half.
3. Have the children draw a picture and then write a sentence about their picture.
4. Staple them together with a coverstock cover.
5. Read often and keep in the classroom library
We use predictable sentences such as:
The Purple Gallinule has blue feathers.
The Purple Gallinule has green feathers.
The Purple Gallinule has yellow legs.
The Purple Gallinule has a red bill.
Or use your computer to cut and paste pictures to write:
I see one Purple Gallinule.
I see two Purple Gallinules.
I see three Purple Gallinules.
Write Stories about Purple Galinules with a Feather Pen
Photo Credit: Feather Pen
on WikiCommons
Use a feather quill pen to write about the birds you see. Journaling can help you remember all those wonderful discoveries. It's also another fun way to practice handwriting.
Sharing Nature With Children
Maybe you will see a Purple Gallinule
Scanning with Binoculars
by Christer
Available at Allposters
Oh, no! They are looking up! These people may miss the Purple Gallinule because it will probably be walking around on the lilypads at their feet.
Purple Gallinule Art
Painting to create a Purple Gallinule Habitat Bulletin Board
Photo Credit: Painting with the Colors of a Purple Gallinule
on Flickr, Creative Commons
1. Set up an easel with paint the colors of the gallinule.
2. Set up another easel with the colors of the grasses growing in the everglades.
3. Set up another easel with the colors of the vast open sky.
4. Show the children how to make long brush strokes with the different colors
5. They might use dry brushes to dap on a little brown
NOTE: The idea is to cover the paper in color, not outline the bird shape.
6. Make templates of gallinules and grass blades out of stiff clear plastic.
7. Use the templates to search for appealing combinations of colors.
8. Trace around the templates and cut out the shapes.
9. Assemble the pieces on the bulletin board to show a Purple Gallinule Habitat.
10. Think about what each of the gallinules are doing. Write stories about each of the gallinules either as a class, in small groups, or individually.
11. Label each gallinule with the book written about him or her to encourage everyone to read the Gallinule Stories during Silent Reading.
A Purple Gallinule is...
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a what????
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinule
on Flickr, Creative Commons.
Did you guess that a Purple Gallinule was a bird?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, I'm a bird fanatic!
vallain says:
Yes, since I live in Florida, I was familiar with this unique bird.
Posted March 30, 2011
Don_McCyclist says:
I cheated! I'd looked in bird books hundreds of times before discovering a lens where every (maybe I didn't keep that close track?) heading includes "purple gallinule." Maybe it's the SEO equivalent of the swamp peacock's plumage! I had fun watching what one teacher suggests at awakening children's appreciation for the world around them.
Posted March 06, 2011
imsostoned says:
omggggggggg like i totes didnt know this was a birdddd! woahhh mannn. hahahhahha trippyyyy
Posted January 24, 2011
DoctorMalvin says:
TOTALLY NOT. IM AN 80 YEAR OLD MAN AND I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS A MUFFIN. OOPS.
Posted January 24, 2011
No way!
John_Michael says:
This is a revelation for me even though I do have a fondness for those with feathers.
Posted January 14, 2012
Pain_Man says:
I hadn't, but I'm glad I do now, thanks to you! Beautiful & informative lens! Great job!
Posted September 30, 2011
Gallinules on eBay
Antique Prints of Purple Gallinules
Antique Gallinule prints would be great for decorating your bathroom.
American Purple Gallinule
What does a Purple Gallinule look like?
Beautiful photos of purple gallinules taken in the swamps of North America
Purple Gallinule Prints
Old Prints of Gallinules, Rails and Moorhens
These Antique Gallinule prints would be great for decorating your bathroom so that each time you walk in you are reminded of the wonderful time you had seeing your first Purple Gallinule.
Purple Gallinule Literacy Bag
Purple Gallinules Story Bag
This is the perfect tote for a Purple Gallinule Literacy Bag. Just add a couple of books, a game and a stuffed animals and it's set to go.
The Purple Gallinules are now in the Directory
Unit Study Directory
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinule
on Wikimedia Commons
Thank you to the Four Wheelers for having included the Purple Gallinules in their directory. This directory has now been passed on to Stone Soup Homeschooling.
Unit Studies: Stone Soup Homeschool Network - Stone Soup Homeschool Network
A free Unit Study Database, featuring unit studies more...0 points
Purple Gallinules are Birds
Lots more ideas for learning about birds and other animals.
We know that Purple Gallinules are birds because they lay eggs, have feathers and are warm blooded. Here are more unit studies about birds with fun, hands-on learning activities. Learn about feathers and eggs of oviparous animals. Purple Gallinules live in the swamp in the same habitat as alligators.
Read about penguins and compare Purple Gallinules with penguins. What do they have in common and how are they different?
Read about penguins and compare Purple Gallinules with penguins. What do they have in common and how are they different?
Purple Gallinule Sightings
Have you seen an American Purple Gallinule?
Author/Biologist Rachel Carson with Members of Audubon Society Bird Watch in Glover Archbold Park
Premium Photographic Print
Eisenstaedt,...
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Tell us about your experience!
If you are a friend of the Purple Gallinule you may add your lens to the plexo at the bottom.
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cffutah
Jan 30, 2012 @ 8:07 pm | delete
- enjoyed stopping by your article tonight.
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John_Michael Jan 14, 2012 @ 11:09 am | delete
- nice work and keep on keeping on!
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Jan 1, 2012 @ 9:00 pm | delete
- I don't believe I have seen a Purple Gallinule in the wild. That's an experience I would love to have. What a spectacular bird. Your educational ideas and resources are appreciated. Thank you!
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GoAceNate
Oct 18, 2011 @ 10:23 am | delete
- Holy content Batman. Wow this is a great resource for your niche. Nice work.
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Pain_Man
Sep 30, 2011 @ 7:12 pm | delete
- Thanks for creating this educational lens with lovely photos! Great job!
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blackspanielgallery
Jun 25, 2011 @ 10:51 pm | delete
- Interesting
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pawpaw911
Jun 20, 2011 @ 7:16 pm | delete
- Never heard of a Purple Gallinule before. Very cool looking birds.
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vallain
Mar 30, 2011 @ 6:30 pm | delete
- Lots of great information, photos and activities to go with this bird. Well done!
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naturegirl7
Mar 17, 2011 @ 9:16 pm | delete
- I'm back to visit this fabulous lens... more than the Gallinules may be purple. :)
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JeanJohnson
Mar 11, 2011 @ 4:22 pm | delete
- Just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading about this bird, it still amazes me how many types of birds exsist all over the world, even discovering how many are just in my own back yard. Thanks for this lens
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annmackiemiller
Mar 5, 2011 @ 12:09 pm | delete
- beautiful lens Evelyn - our British moorhens are more grey and black than purple but it is the same bird and I am fascinated by them - Angel blessed
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CastleRoy
Feb 14, 2011 @ 2:13 pm | delete
- Beautiful lens and bird Love all the pictures and learning thank you
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LisaAuch
Sep 21, 2010 @ 3:17 pm | delete
- This is a great Article, informative and stuffed with clever educational idea, brilliant i really enjoyed this
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WordCustard
Apr 21, 2010 @ 6:48 am | delete
- What a delightful bird. I had never seen it before. I love the fun, educational Purple Gallinule-inspired activities here too. Leaving an *~*~ Angel Blessing ~*~*
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Evelyn_Saenz
Apr 21, 2010 @ 1:18 pm | delete
- Thank you for visiting the Purple Gallinules, SquidAngel.
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ElizabethJeanAllen
Dec 10, 2009 @ 6:30 pm | delete
- Great lens. I love watching and reading about the birds.
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Evelyn_Saenz
Dec 11, 2009 @ 3:14 pm | delete
- Thank you. That is quite a compliment from such an expert on birds.
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LearningIsFun
Nov 10, 2009 @ 1:06 pm | delete
- Should have guessed this was a lens by you Evelyn. It's beautiful; and a lovely subject. 5* from me.
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motorpurrr
May 17, 2009 @ 12:48 pm | delete
- Super nice and detailed lens. I always loved these birds. Thanx
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poddys
May 16, 2009 @ 4:45 pm | delete
- Another great lens Evelyn, 5***** I haven't seen one of these to my knowledge, but will now know what to look out for. Lensrolled and featured on my Deer Creek Walk lens.
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Purple Gallinule Tweets
Look Who's Twittering about Purple Gallinules:
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinules
on Flickr, Creative Commons
Friends of the Gallinules
Purple Gallinule Friends
Please leave a link to your lens. The Purple Gallinules love to visit other lenses.
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Follow the Purple Gallinules and their Friends on Twitter
Photo Credit: Wings of the Purple Gallinule
on Flickr, Creative Commons.
About the Author of this Purple Gallinule Lens
Beyond the Purple Gallinules
Evelyn's Hands-On Learning Blog.
Thank you for walking through the Everglades with the Purple Gallinules.
Come check out what else I'm up to:
Photo Credit: Purple Gallinule #2
on Flickr, Creative Commons.
Thank you for walking through the Everglades with the Purple Gallinules.
Come check out what else I'm up to:
Purple Gallinules in the Kingdom!
Where are the Purple Gallinules?
Come write about Purple Gallinules on Wizzley, a fun and easy place to express your opinion:
by Evelyn_Saenz
Evelyn_Saenz
My passion is teaching and finding ways to teach children in fun, hands-on, creative ways. The unit studies I make on Squidoo reflect my view that learning... more »
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