A Common Gallinule stood on a lump of vegetation, creating a near perfect reflection.
Until a Little Blue Heron flew in and the Gallinule moved on.
The Little Blue was in hot pursuit…
…of a dragonfly.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
We’ve reached the time of winter when last year’s grasses and reeds are dried out and falling over. This opens the view into the swamps, in this case to watch a duo of Common Gallinule.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 15, 2024
Common Gallinules are usually very skittish, calling out with their wild cackle and running away over the water well before you get close.
This one had a different approach, just standing on a tree branch that had fallen at the edge of a pond…
… seemingly with out a care in the world as he preened a bit…
…had a look around…
…then stepped into the water…
…silently moving on to his next adventure.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 25, 2023
A few Common Gallinules were walking around in this shallow water at the edge of a pond, quietly minding their own business.
Gallinules are known for making a vocal fuss, but while I was watching this scene they were quiet.
Hard to say if Alligators pay any attention to when birds vocalize; I’ve seen them respond to movement around them but not just noise.
These Alligators never moved.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
A few Common Gallinule chicks were paddling around at the edge of Mary’s House Pond. They moved out into the water a bit as I drove by and I captured these out the car window.
This one seemed to suddenly realize his mates had moved off without him.
Wait for me!
Where’d they go?
An adult wasn’t far off, showing how to get a meal.
Safety in numbers, the family stuck pretty close together.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 31, 2022
My apologies if anyone gets notice of this post twice. I picked the wrong post to schedule, after this had already posted, and now can’t undo it. 🙃
We often refer to Common Gallinules as the early warning system. Any bird in the area who didn’t know we are coming does after what All About Birds describes as
“all sorts of chickenlike clucks, whinnies, cackles, squawks, and yelps. They often call while hidden from view, leaving you wondering what lurks in the marsh. The rapid series of clucks sounds vaguely raptorlike, but the series often ends with what sounds like a laugh.”
The clatter is often accompanied by or followed by them running across the water. The whole business is quite startling for all concerned.
This young bird appeared to be trying out his vocal skills, but I never heard a peep.
Mom just paddled along, saving the water running for another lesson.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 29, 2022
A Common Gallinule chick exploring on his own
May 9, 2022
Two Common Gallinules were making a splash.
A little dispute ensued…
A point was made…
Face off!
Ok, it’s all over, nothing more to see…
Or not!
Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022
Mother Gallinule feeding a chick.
“I can do it!”
The Common Gallinule chicks I saw last week wandered in and out of some pond-side vegetation going through the water, and sometimes just plomping down to rest.
The top of this little one’s head with the orange peaking through reminded me of the old tv ads for spray on hair for men.
The whole family came together after doing some individual exploring.
June 8, 2021
