The purple gallinule is a brightly colored marsh bird found in wetlands throughout Florida. With its brilliant purple-blue plumage, yellow legs, and bright red frontal shield, the purple gallinule is a tropical jewel in Florida’s wetlands. Though widespread, the purple gallinule can be tricky to spot since it sticks to dense vegetation and is more often heard than seen. By focusing on key locations and habitats during the right seasons, birders have good chances of observing this stunning rallid. Here is an overview of the best places and times to see the purple gallinule in Florida.
Overview of the Purple Gallinule
The purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) is a rather striking rail in the family Rallidae. About the size of a chicken, it has glossy plumage in deep shades of purple-blue on the body, with a greenish-blue back and tail. The legs are yellow, and it has a frontal shield on its forehead that is bright red with a paler yellow tip. The bill is red with a yellow tip. Immatures are browner with darker bills. In flight, look for white undertail coverts.
While most rails are very secretive, the purple gallinule often walks on top of floating vegetation in open view. It uses its long toes to walk on top of lily pads and other aquatic plants. Its diet consists mainly of plant material but also includes some insects, snails, fish, and other small prey.
Purple gallinules occur in tropical and subtropical wetlands worldwide. In the United States, they are found from California to the Carolinas, with especially large numbers in Florida. Here they reside year-round and breed during the rainy summer months.
Best Locations to See Purple Gallinules in Florida
Purple gallinules occur throughout Florida but are spotty in distribution. They tend to inhabit freshwater marshes with an abundance of floating vegetation. Some of the top places in Florida to observe purple gallinules include:
Everglades National Park
The vast freshwater marshes of Everglades National Park protect critical habitat for purple gallinules. Birds can be seen walking atop lily pads and other vegetation throughout the MAIN park drive. The Anhinga Trail, Eco Pond, and Shark Valley areas are some notable spots. Gallinules may also forage along roadsides early in the morning.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
This Audubon sanctuary near Naples contains excellent marsh habitat perfect for purple gallinules. The 2.25 mile boardwalk loop passes through open marsh where gallinules can often be spotted. Early morning and dusk are ideal viewing times when the birds are most active.
Green Cay Wetlands
Operated by Palm Beach County, this nature center near Boynton Beach has extensive wetlands and marsh ideal for purple gallinules. The 1.5 mile boardwalk loop offers open views over cattails and wetland vegetation where the colorful birds can be observed.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Along Florida’s Space Coast, Merritt Island NWR contains vast marshes and swamps where purple gallinules reside. The Black Point Wildlife Drive offers excellent marsh viewing, as does the Cruickshank Trail. Gallinules can often be seen in the open from the roadside.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands
This wetland park in Delray Beach contains a 3⁄4 mile boardwalk that winds through marshes and shallow open water. This is a reliable spot to find purple gallinules walking on lily pads and duckweed close to the boardwalk.
Bubblegum Lake
Located on the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, this lake contains extensive stands of pickerelweed and smartweed favored by purple gallinules. Birds can often be seen out in the open here.
Stormwater Treatment Areas
These wetland habitats were created by the South Florida Water Management District west of the Everglades. Large numbers of purple gallinules occur in STAs like 1W, 2, 3/4, 5, and 6 due to ample marsh habitat.
Viera Wetlands
This pair of wetlands in Brevard County offers excellent access on a raised berm trail that looks over wetland vegetation. Purple gallinules are frequently seen here.
Blue Cypress Lake
The extensive marshes on the Upper St. Johns River near this lake provide habitat for good numbers of purple gallinules.
Best Time to See Purple Gallinules
In Florida, purple gallinules are present year-round. They may be slightly easier to observe in spring and summer when breeding. During this season, males are louder and more visible as they display to attract mates and defend territories. The best viewing times are early morning and evening when the birds are actively foraging along marsh edges.
| Months | Sightings |
|---|---|
| January-February | Fair |
| March-May | Good |
| June-July | Excellent |
| August-September | Good |
| October-December | Fair |
As the table shows, sightings tend to peak in summer during the breeding season and are fair during the winter months.
Tips for Spotting Purple Gallinules
Here are some useful tips to help you find and observe purple gallinules:
- Focus on freshwater marshes with abundant aquatic vegetation like cattails, pickerelweed, duckweed, and floating heart. Gallinules need the cover and foraging habitat these plants provide.
- Walk slowly and quietly along marsh boardwalks early and late in the day when gallinules are most active.
- Listen for loud cackling calls and watch for movement atop floating vegetation.
- Be patient and still. Gallinules often slip back into cover when disturbed.
- Try using Kayaks or canoes to access more open marsh areas away from trails.
- A spotting scope can provide better views across marshes from trails or roads.
- Visit during summer when territory displays are more conspicuous.
Conclusion
With a focus on key wetland habitats in Florida, birders have excellent chances to observe the beautiful and unique purple gallinule. Some of the top spots include Everglades National Park, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Green Cay Wetlands, and Merritt Island NWR. Prime viewing is in summer during the breeding season, but birds can be seen year-round with proper timing and persistence. By utilizing boardwalks and nature trails strategically in the early morning and evening, you’ll be rewarded with sightings of these brilliantly colored marsh birds. With a little effort, you can experience the tropical flair of the purple gallinule on your next visit to Florida wetlands.
