Allen's Gallinule

The Allen's gallinule, formerly known as the lesser gallinule, is a diminutive and vibrant waterbird belonging to the Rallidae family. It exhibits a striking combination of colors with a short red bill, a greenish back, and rich purple upperparts. The legs are a vivid red, equipped with long toes, and the tail is short, displaying a white underside with a contrasting dark central bar.

Identification Tips

Adult Allen's gallinules can be identified by their red bill and legs, and the males are distinguished by a blue frontal shield during the breeding season, which turns green in females. Immature birds are sandy brown with a buff undertail, while the downy chicks are uniformly black, a common trait among rails. When swimming, these birds exhibit a characteristic nodding of the head.

Habitat

The preferred breeding habitat for Allen's gallinule is marshes and lakes within the Sub-Saharan African region, where they find the dense swamps particularly conducive to their secretive lifestyle.

Distribution

This species is indigenous to Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite being seemingly weak fliers, they have astonishingly reached Great Britain twice and have been recorded as vagrants in several other European countries.

Behaviour

Allen's gallinules are notably secretive during the breeding season, often heard rather than seen. They are known for their sharp nasal "pruk" call. The species is partially migratory, engaging in seasonal movements which may render them more visible during migration or in their wintering grounds.

Breeding

In the breeding season, these gallinules construct a floating nest within marshes and swamps, laying a clutch of 2 to 5 eggs. Their secretive nature is most pronounced during this time, making them elusive to observers.

Diet and Feeding

Allen's gallinules forage by probing in mud or shallow water and are also adept at spotting and picking up food visually. Their diet primarily consists of insects and aquatic animals.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified Allen's gallinule as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face an immediate threat of extinction.