The Swamp Hen

The american purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinica, frango-d'água-azul) is a common bird of the rail family in our marshes. It´s rather skittish, thus not very easy to approach close enough for a good picture.

They are omnivorous and walk over floating vegetation as if they were on firm ground. No surprise if you look at their huge yellow feet !

Note all the purple-blue tonalities of their plumage...