Florida gallinule

The Florida gallinule is a subspecies of the common gallinule (Gallinula galeata cachinnans) native to North America. Gallinules are marsh birds, about the size of bantam hens, with a compressed body and long, thin toes that help them walk on floating vegetation. They are known for being noisy and inquisitive.12

The common gallinule (Gallinula chloropus) is found in Europe and Africa, while its North American race is sometimes called the Florida gallinule. The common gallinule (Gallinula galeata) is widespread in the Americas and has yellow legs, a red frontal shield, and a white band on its flanks. It was formerly considered the same species as the Eurasian moorhen, but differences in vocalizations, bill shape, and DNA have led ornithologists to classify them as distinct.23