Kingdom Animalia Order Gruiformes Genus Porphyrio Higher classification Swamphen | Phylum Chordata Family Rallidae Scientific name Porphyrio alleni Rank Species | |
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Similar Bird, Rallidae, Swamphen, African crake, Lesser moorhen |
Allen s gallinule
The Allen's gallinule (Porphyrio alleni), formerly known as the lesser gallinule is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae. Its former binomial name is Porphyrula alleni. Porphyrio is the Latin for "swamphen", and alleni, like the English name, commemorates British naval officer Rear-Admiral William Allen (1770–1843).
![Allen's gallinule Allen39s Gallinule](https://alchetron.com/cdn/allens-gallinule-c8a4bdd6-0626-4bed-8b51-5e85d4cd992-resize-750.jpeg)
Its breeding habitat is marshes and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. They build a floating nest in marshes and swamps, laying 2-5 eggs. This species is partially migratory, undertaking seasonal movements.
Remarkably, this apparently weakly flying bird is not only the only species with a purely sub-Saharan African range to have reached Great Britain, but has done so twice. It has also occurred as a vagrant in several other European countries.
![Allen's gallinule Gallinules Howie39s Wildlife Images](https://alchetron.com/cdn/allens-gallinule-8c96a47a-59ed-4562-aec5-5da67ea458f-resize-750.jpeg)
They are similar in size to the only slightly larger water rail. The Allen's gallinule has a short red bill, greenish back and purple upperparts. They have red legs with long toes, and a short tail which is white with a dark central bar underneath. Breeding males have a blue frontal shield, which is green in the female. Immature Allen's gallinules are sandy brown with a buff undertail. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails.
![Allen's gallinule Gallinules Howie39s Wildlife Images](https://alchetron.com/cdn/allens-gallinule-dd5e7845-c134-435d-a3bb-c3fb8da3aef-resize-750.jpeg)
These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects and aquatic animals. They nod their heads as they swim.
![Allen's gallinule Allens Gallinule Porphyrio alleni European birds online guide](https://alchetron.com/cdn/allens-gallinule-ad1df5ef-d293-44d5-8929-95d5036f6e9-resize-750.jpeg)
Allen's gallinules are very secretive in the breeding season, particularly in the dense swamps they favour, and are mostly heard rather than seen. They are then rather noisy birds, with a sharp nasal pruk call. They can be easier to see on migration or when wintering.
![Allen's gallinule Porphyrio alleni Allen39s gallinule Lesser gallinule](https://alchetron.com/cdn/allens-gallinule-ae931309-7460-4c5e-9f5f-7c1c218b3b6-resize-750.jpeg)