A charcoal gray bird with a rusty back, white body striping, and a red bill, the common gallinule is equally at home swimming in water and walking on land. Both sexes have the bright red bill and forehead shield, although the male’s is brighter.
Listen For
Whinnying, squeaky notes in a series, slowing down near the end. Sounds like someone is torturing a frog. Also a high, sharp peek!
Remember
Distant gallinules can be told apart from coots by the white horizontal side stripes and extensive white on the tails.
Find It
You may hear a gallinule before you see it, but look for it in or near the dense vegetation along the edge of freshwater marshes and ponds doing a “funky chicken” motion as it swims or walks.
Wow!
What looks like a duck but is not a duck? A common gallinule, which is more closely related to cranes and rails than to ducks (even though they swim like ducks).
Have one of these at my pond. Acts tame. When I call pretty girl, come within 5 ft of me!!! Showed up 2 mos ago. Thought maybe someone’s pet that got lost