The beautiful adult Purple Gallinule was present when I arrived in Mauston this morning. The normal range for this bird is Florida, so very rare for Wisconsin. Someone said, was it the recent hurricane? The Purple Gallinule hung with a couple of Mallard Ducks and an Indian Runner Duck. At times it was far from the mallards eating along the shores within the brush in the ditch. At times too it was not in sight, hidden in the grasses and not moving around much. The colors on this bird are breathtaking. I did see it fly twice, just an amazing bird blue bird in the air. Thanks to Jeri for finding this rare bird and sharing, obviously a life bird for me! It was mostly cloudy in Mauston while I was present with mild temps, no wind. Images were taken on October 13, 2016.
Purple Gallinule
Binomial name: Porphyrula martinica
Category: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Size: 13” long, 22” wing span
Weight: 8 oz
Typically it was feeding in the brush along the ditch shore
Indian Runner Duck
Indian Runner Duck
Early morning sun in the grasses
Early morning sun in the grasses
