Common Gallinule

The Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) ranges from south Canada to north Chile and north Argentina. Also called Common Moorhen. Prefers marshes, ponds, and slow streams with abundant aquatic vegetation. Adults are 33 cm (13 inches) in height and 365 g in weight.

Head and neck black, shading to dark slate over rest of body. Rump and tail black. Bill and frontal shield scarlet and tipped with yellow. Feet greenish. Its diet is based on seeds, leaves, roots, snails, insects, and worms.