Day 131: Common Gallinule

Last week, we went to visit a nearby marshy area to see a Common Gallinule (previously known as a Common Moorhen) that had been recently spotted. We were used to seeing Common Gallinules on a regular basis when we lived in Georgia, where they live year-round on the coast. In Maryland, however, they are more uncommon.

Common Gallinules are the size of a small duck, with a short tail and wings, long toes, and a short, bright red and yellow bill. They resemble the Purple Gallinule in some respects, but have dark gray instead of purple plumage. Common Gallinules can be found around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals and other wetlands.