Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica (Linnaeus, 1766)

Rallidae — Rails, Crakes & Coots

Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica, is a rail in the family Rallidae that breeds from south-eastern USA through Middle America and into northern Argentina. It belongs to the order Gruiformes and is found in freshwater marshes with thick vegetation. Also called the yellow-legged gallinule, it is a species of the Americas. Its name martinica refers to Martinique. The bird is known for its long toes, which help it move across floating plants, and for its bright yellow legs and feet in adults.

Order
Gruiformes
Family
Rallidae — Rails, Crakes & Coots
Breeding range
North America, Middle America, South America: se USA to n Argentina
Purple Gallinule
© Bettyreategui · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

9 tours in Mexico 7, Costa Rica 1, Panama 1

Costa Rica Escape Part II: Caribbean Foothills and Wetlands
Costa Rica Escape Part II: Caribbean Foothills and Wetlands
Costa Rica / San José Group tour 9 days

A nine-day Costa Rica birding journey through Arenal, northern border wetlands and Tenorio foothill forest, with boat excursions and targets...

From USD 5,960 Next: Feb 21, 2027
Southern Chiriqui Lowlands Private Birding with Jason Lara
Southern Chiriqui Lowlands Private Birding with Jason Lara
Panama / Boquete Private tour 1 day

Look for herons, gallinules and other lowland birds along waterways, farmland and the coast of southern Chiriqui on a private half-day excur...

Laguna Quelele and Rio Ameca Birding Trip
Laguna Quelele and Rio Ameca Birding Trip
Mexico / Nuevo Nayarit Private tour 7h

A birding trip to Laguna Quelele and the Rio Ameca mouth, one of Banderas Bay's strong wetland birding areas....

From MXN 3,505
San Blas Birding Overnight
San Blas Birding Overnight
Mexico / San Blas Private tour 2 days

Use two field days to explore San Blas birding habitats with Luis Morales, combining an extended first session with a second morning and ear...

From MXN 5,480
San Blas Birding Day Trip
San Blas Birding Day Trip
Mexico / San Blas Private tour 11h

A full-day birding trip to the San Blas area, exploring a highly diverse Pacific coast birding landscape with boat and land components....

From MXN 3,900
Birding San Pancho Sunset
Birding San Pancho Sunset
Mexico / San Pancho Private tour 2.5h

A late-afternoon San Pancho birding outing to enjoy tropical birds and their habitats, ending around sunset....

From MXN 950
San Pancho Morning Short Birding 2.5h
San Pancho Morning Short Birding 2.5h
Mexico / San Pancho Private tour 2.5h

An easy-paced early morning San Pancho birding option for tropical birds and local habitats when time is limited....

From MXN 950
San Pancho Morning Special Birding 4.5h
San Pancho Morning Special Birding 4.5h
Mexico / San Pancho Private tour 4.5h

A special San Pancho morning birding outing with breakfast buffet, combining tropical and migratory birds with natural history and local hab...

From MXN 2,100
Birding San Pancho Morning Classic 4.5h
Birding San Pancho Morning Classic 4.5h
Mexico / San Pancho Private tour 4.5h

A classic San Pancho morning birding walk for beginner and advanced birders, focused on tropical and migratory birds in the area's mosaic of...

From MXN 1,800