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Storms Sweep Tropical Purple Gallinules Into New England as Rescuers Plan Returns South

Wildlife centers are stabilizing the displaced birds for relocation to warmer habitat.

Purple gallinules are warm-weather birds native to the wetlands of Florida and South America. Multiple gallinules have been found in the Northeast recently.
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Overview

  • The New England Wildlife Center is treating a New Bedford purple gallinule that is significantly underweight but showed no fractures or major injuries on initial exams.
  • Clinicians are refeeding the Massachusetts bird in stages to prevent refeeding syndrome, with next steps to be set in consultation with MassWildlife.
  • A separate gallinule found in Houlton, Maine, had a minor foot injury and mild corneal ulceration and is now rehabilitating at Avian Haven.
  • Rescuers plan to transport the Maine bird to Florida alongside another gallinule recovered in Vermont, and a separate case was reported in care in New York.
  • Experts attribute the unusual northerly arrivals to last week’s strong storm systems, note a prior 2010 Massachusetts record, and warn the species cannot withstand sustained New England cold; researchers also point to drought-linked vagrancy in some years.