Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica), Rio Rico Pond, Santa Cruz County

This adult Purple Gallinule was found by John Saba on 8 July 2011 at the pond on Rio Rico Rd (just east of train track) and photographed by Laurens Halsey the same day.

There are 13 previous accepted records for Arizona, but one was reported road killed near Marana the week before and another was discovered at the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant the same day as this bird was photographed. 

Unmistakable, purple and green colored plumage, tricolored bill and shield, white undertail coverts, big yellow legs and feet.

08 July 2011, photos by Laurens Halsey

09 July 2011, photo by Arlene Ripley

09 July 2011, photo by Alan Schmierer

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer