Common Gallinule

A medium-sized marsh bird with long legs and toes, the Common Gallinule is charcoal gray with a white stripe down it’s side and white outer tail feathers.   Adults have a red shield above their red bill which as a yellow tip.  It bobs it’s head as it swims.  Look for them hiding in cattails and marsh vegetation at the Coastal Heritage Preserve.

Compare to the Purple Gallinule.