Allen's Gallinule
Scientific Name: Porphyrio alleni alleniMaltese Name: Gallozz ta' l-Afrika
Family: Rails (Rallidae)
Occurence: Vagrant
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Allen's Gallinule, is similar in size to the 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. Breeding males have a blue frontal shield, which is green in the female. Allen's Gallinules are very secretive birds, 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. This bird is found in marshes and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa and is partially migratory, undertaking seasonal movements.
Status:
Vagrant. Only 2 records. 1st record of a bird ringed at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo, on the 9th of January 1994. 2nd record of a dead bird found in Santa Venera on the 8th of January 2010. Probably there are other records of these birds but they're all unverified.
Photographs:
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Allen's Gallinule, Lunzjata Valley, 9th January 1994 |
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| Allen's Gallinule, Lunzjata Valley, 9th January 1994 | Allen's Gallinule, Santa Venera, 8th January 2010 |
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