One of the showiest and most photogenic birds of the Iberá. The plumage combines bright blue-violet on the head, neck and breast with deep green on the back and wings. The bill is red with a yellow tip and the frontal shield is pale blue. The legs are yellow with very long toes that allow it to walk over the floating water hyacinths. It measures 27 to 36 cm. The chicks are black and juveniles show more muted tones. One of the most common and bold birds of the wetland: it walks unconcernedly over the water hyacinths in full view of the boats.
Behaviour
An omnivore of the water hyacinth beds: the seeds of water hyacinth and other aquatic plants, insects, small mollusks and occasionally very small fish. It walks over the floating vegetation using its long toes to spread its weight. Very territorial and aggressive toward its own kind.
How and when to see it
Year round. Easy to see from boats and kayaks on any lagoon with water hyacinths. One of the most photographed birds in the park.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where purple gallinule has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where purple gallinule lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common namePurple Gallinule
- Scientific namePorphyrio martinica
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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