gallinule

/ˌgæləˈnul/

Other forms: gallinules

Definitions of gallinule

1. noun

   any of various small aquatic birds of the genus Gallinula distinguished from rails by a frontal shield and a resemblance to domestic hens
   synonyms: marsh hen, swamphen, water hen

   types:

   Florida gallinule, Gallinula chloropus cachinnans

   North American dark bluish-grey gallinule

   Gallinula chloropus, moorhen

   black gallinule that inhabits ponds and lakes

   purple gallinule

   gallinules with showy purplish plumage

   European gallinule, Porphyrio porphyrio

   purple gallinule of southern Europe

   American gallinule, Porphyrula martinica

   American purple gallinule

   type of:

   aquatic bird

   wading and swimming and diving birds of either fresh or salt water