purple gallinule

noun

1. a purple, blue, green, and white gallinule, Porphyrula martinica, inhabiting warmer areas of the New World, having a bright red, yellow, and blue bill, and lemon-yellow legs and feet.

2. any of several large, Old World gallinules of the genus Porphyrio.

purple gallinule

noun

1. a long-toed purple aquatic bird, Porphyrio porphyrio (or Porphyrula martinica ), of the southern US and Europe, with red legs and red bill: family Rallidae (rails, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of purple gallinule¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

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

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There are more than 360 species of birds, including the great blue heron and the diminutive green variety, purple gallinules and roseate spoonbills, the white ibis and the black skimmer.

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Wild yellow irises bloomed amid the marsh grass in this tranquil oasis, and umbrella pines gave shade, while glossy ibis, coots and purple gallinule chattered and splashed in the pond.

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Among the cat victims were mourning doves, blue jays, cottontail rabbits, southern flying squirrels and rarer animals, such as purple gallinules, a kind of water bird.

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The daily bag limit for common and purple gallinules is 15 singly or in aggregate, and possession limit is 45 singly or in aggregate.

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