Photo: Cláudio Dias Timm from Rio Grande do Sul / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Spot-flanked Gallinule
Porphyriops melanops
Spot-flanked Gallinule (Porphyriops melanops) — Cranes & Rails of South America.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Spot-flanked Gallinule (Porphyriops melanops) is a member of the Rallidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 191 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Porphyriops
- Species melanops
Quick facts
- Weight
- 191 g
- Diet
- Aquatic plant-eaters
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Spot-flanked Gallinule feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Spot-flanked Gallinule is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Spot-flanked Gallinule (Porphyriops melanops) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA e, s.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 191 g, with a wing length of about 12.5 cm and a tail of around 5.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 4.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Spot-flanked Gallinule?
The Spot-flanked Gallinule is a large bird that weighs around 191 g.
Where does the Spot-flanked Gallinule live?
The Spot-flanked Gallinule is found across South America with a range covering SA e, s, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Spot-flanked Gallinule belong to?
The Spot-flanked Gallinule (Porphyriops melanops) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Spot-flanked Gallinule eat?
The Spot-flanked Gallinule feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the Spot-flanked Gallinule migrate?
The Spot-flanked Gallinule is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Spot-flanked Gallinule endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Spot-flanked Gallinule make?
1 real field recording of the Spot-flanked Gallinule — including its begging call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Spot-flanked Gallinule's range?
The Spot-flanked Gallinule has a mapped global range of about 4.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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