Gallinule
Gallinule Characteristics
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Long-toed legs |
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Frontal shield on forehead |
GALLINULE INFORMATION
Gallinules are found in Trinidad.
Although relatively weak flying birds, many birds from this family travel
long distances over water and land. They pump their heads back and forth when
swimming and do the same with their tails when walking, showing the white
underparts. Their long legs enable them to climb over the densest of reeds.
The commonest groups of Gallinule are: The Purple Gallinule and the Common
Gallinule.
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The Purple Gallinule
The Purple Gallinule is also known as the waterman, yellow legs, or blue nun.
They swim and dive fairly well even though they do not have webbed feet -
however they are able to do so for short distances only.
The Gallinule is
long-lived - It can live up to 18 years in captivity. They are considered adults
when they are about 2 years old- by this time they have gained their colour.
They follow an elaborate courtship and usually pair for
life.
Successfully and consistently bred at the Pointe-a-Pierre
Wildfowl Trust.
Habitat
The Purple Gallinule can be found
in rice fields, freshwater,
marshes and
ponds, as long as there
is plentiful vegetation around.
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Voice
Voice is a hen-like cackle
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Food
Seeds, grass, rootlets, soft parts
of water plants, snails, grasshoppers,
frogs and other aquatic insects.
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Size
- Wing Length : Approximately 100 mm
- Weight : 200 grams
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Main Predator
These beautiful little birds are hunted
and eaten.
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The Common Gallinule
The Common Gallinule is similar to the Purple Gallinule, except for the
colour - the Common Gallinule being slate grey and brown with a red bill and
forehead (frontal shield), yellow-green feet and white feathers on the sides of
their tails (undertail all white). Spends much time swimming on open water.
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