The Purple Gallinule is still in our back yard again this morning. We have
been watching it feeding happily and actively all morning.
Thanks for all the thoughts and comments. We also wondered if the bird might
be sick or weak, but it seems healthy and feeding steadily. It does not seem
to be particularly wary though. It even came and ate fallen bird seeds off the
Palm frond under the feeder. Then it started feeding through the shrubs and
thick areas under the trees, picking and scratching for food. It seems to get
along with the Blue Jays, Red-wings, and Squirrels around and on the feeders.
It is the weirdest thing to me, seeing a Purple Gallinule feeding at a feeder
with a Blue Jay.
I checked Ebird sightings for P. Gallinules and there are a couple reports of
these out in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico landing on ships, boast and the
water. So they do fly across Gulf.
I am attaching a link below to our yesterday Ebird list with the photos in case
anyone wants to see photos. We will post another Ebird List this evening with
photos from today.
Remember, April Fool’s Day is not until tomorrow,
Brian J. Pascagoula
https://ebird.org/checklist/S66412784
From: BRIAN JOHNSTON
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2020 2:20 PM
To: missbird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: One of the oddest Yard birds we have ever had - 20 guesses
We have right now in our back yard one of the oddest or most unexpected birds
that we have ever hosted. I was just now sitting at the computer looking out
at the feeders periodically to appreciate all the Red-wing Blackbirds and Blue
Jays that have become our most common sights.
About 20 feet outside the window, sitting in the palm tree at eye level, I saw
a bright purple color. Looking more closely, I could see a white crown and
bright red bill. It is a Purple Gallinule still sitting in the Palm Tree right
outside the house and beside the feeder. I went outside to get a few clearer
photos and as I was doing that, I saw a yellow flash, and it was a male Hooded
Warbler, our first one of those for the year too.
You can’t make up stuff like that. I have photos that I will post on my Ebird
Yard list for the day. We don’t live anywhere near any water or little creek
either.
Now would this Gallinule have just flown across the Gulf from the Yucatan or
has it flown around the shore line of the Gulf from wintering in Florida or
South Texas? Any guesses or expert opinions?
The purple bird is still sitting in the same spot in the Palm Tree as I hit
send on this one.
Brian and Mary Johnston, Pascagoula, MS
