Roving UHub photographer Mary Ellen spotted this purple gallinule in Milton over the weekend. The bird normally doesn't get much farther north than the South Carolina coast - where it uses its giant feet to step "gingerly across water lilies and other floating vegetation" as it hunts for frogs and worms. She reports the people in the house where the bird came to roost are trying to take care of it until it, hopefully, starts heading south.
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Comments
bombogenesis victim?
By Parkwayne
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 11:51am
Fair assumption that this bird got here similar to how Dorothy ended up in Oz?
The wing`ed beast...
By Turalura Lipschitz
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 4:00pm
had a bad dream?
Cool!
By Sally
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 11:54am
There was one of these on Nantucket earlier this year as reported by some birding people I follow. I’ve never seen or heard of such a thing—they are amazing looking!
Much more vibrant
By Stevil
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 1:28pm
Either this is a female or the wrong time of the year - but I've seen these in the everglades and they are magnificent - they look like floating/wading neon New York Mets fans!
Mets fans?
By Parkwayne
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 1:40pm
I think Mets fans are mostly bitterns.
I'm related to a few Mets fans
By Stevil
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 1:48pm
I find they are more blue footed boobies.
They are pretty resigned to losing - it's just what they do. But they have fun doing it.
Juvenile Bird
By OMED
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 1:55pm
Poor teenage bird is lost.
Not adult
By Allstonian
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 2:50pm
As far as I can find, fully adult males and females look pretty similar, but juveniles and immature adults don't have the full brilliant colors yet. Compare this photo: https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/242244921
Juvenile seems right
By cinnamngrl
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 3:50pm
And if that is true, I think animal rescue needs to come get it. Juveniles have been sighted as far away as South Africa, so I guess this is normal. They are rated "low" concern, but it will be sad if this one doesn't make it. It's going to get cold soon.
Wild Colors
By anon
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 4:49pm
Must be the world's only tie-dyed bird. Hope it gets to where it's going.
Wow! Spectacular bird --
By anon
Mon, 10/21/2019 - 5:59pm
Wow! Spectacular bird -- lucky find!
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