gallinule

American  

[gal-uh-nool, -nyool] / ˈgæl əˌnul, -ˌnyul /

noun

1. any aquatic bird of the family Rallidae, having elongated, webless toes.

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gallinule British  

/ ˈɡælɪˌnjuːl /

noun

1. any of various aquatic birds of the genera Porphyrio and Porphyrula, typically having a dark plumage, red bill, and a red shield above the bill: family Rallidae (rails)

2. the US name for moorhen

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Etymology

Origin of gallinule

1770–80; < New Latin Gallinula a genus name, Late Latin gallīnula chicken, equivalent to Latin gallīn ( a ) hen + -ula -ule

Example Sentences

Elaine, who visited the Everglades occasionally when she lived in Miami, knows a purple gallinule when she sees one.

From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2023

Those who live in or near high-rises often find birds that flew into the buildings at night, and two birds — a peregrine falcon and a common gallinule — were among the most noteworthy donations.

From Washington Post • Dec. 21, 2016

Rail and gallinule may be shot in New York and Washington throughout October and November.

From Time Magazine Archive

In one place he had the good-luck to raise a flock of water birds, which he took for purple gallinule and spur-wing plover, although they were unlike any he had ever seen.

From The Ne'er-Do-Well by Beach, Rex Ellingwood

First he rowed me up the "creek," under promise to show me alligators, moccasins, and no lack of birds, including the especially desired purple gallinule.

From A Florida Sketch-Book by Torrey, Bradford