Gallinula galeata
The Common Gallinule, Gallinula galeata, is a striking, medium-sized waterbird often mistaken for a coot due to its dark plumage and aquatic habits, yet distinct with its vibrant coloration. Averaging 30-38 cm (12-15 in) in length with a wingspan of 50-62 cm (20-24 in) and weighing 200-500 g (7-18 oz), this rail-like bird sports a slate-gray to black body, a prominent red frontal shield extending onto its forehead, and a bright red bill tipped with yellow. Key identification marks include a c...
Found primarily in freshwater wetlands, marshes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers, preferring areas with dense emergent vegetation for cover and nesting. Typically found at low to moderate elevations.
Omnivorous, primarily consuming aquatic vegetation, seeds, fruits, and a variety of invertebrates such as insects, snails, and spiders. Forages by dabbling, picking, and grazing from water surface or vegetation.
Common Gallinules are active during the day and twilight hours, often foraging in the open and retreating to dense cover for roosting. Their foraging strategies include dabbling at the water surface, picking insects and seeds from floating vegetation, grazing on shoreline plants, and occasionally...
The Common Gallinule boasts an expansive range across the Americas, breeding throughout much of the eastern and midwestern United States, southern Canada (sporadically), Mexico, Central America, and widespread across South America and the Caribbean. Northern populations in the US and Canada are m...
Least Concern
- Common Gallinules have bright green legs and extraordinarily long toes, which help them walk across lily pads and other floating vegetation without sinking. - Despite not having fully webbed feet, their unique lobed toes allow them to swim proficiently and dive when foraging or escaping predato...