purple_gallinule

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

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Miranda Collett
Miranda Collett

Former Airline Captain of B747, Miranda Collett, switched career in 2010 to become a wildlife conservationist, purchasing a former cattle ranch in NE Argentina.

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We first saw this bird at Reserva Don Luis in 2011 but did not see it again until 2015. Since then it has been seen very occasionally in the reeds, and as it tends to skulk at the base of the reeds it  is very difficult to see.

It is a large gallinule of around 28cm with long yellow legs and huge feet.,

It has very bright colours, glossy blue underparts with blue/greenish upperparts, a pale blue shield on the head with a red bill that has a greenish tip.The tail has pure white undercoverts

This bird is unmistakeable with its striking, bright colours. Adult above & juvenile with most of its colours below.

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