American Purple Gallinule

33 cm (13") Fairly common. Southeastern United States. Marshes, swamps, ponds.

Red bill with yellow tip; pale blue forehead shield; bluish-purple head, throat and upper breast; greenish back and wings; conspicuous white under-tail; yellow legs and feet.

Long toes allow it to walk on floating vegetation. Pumps head while swimming. Similar Common Moorhen has red forehead, green legs and white side stripe.

Song: hen-like cackling.