gallinule Definition

any of several aquatic birds of the rail family with long thin feet and a platelike frontal area on the head: such as

moorhen

one (Porphyrula martinica) found from the southern U.S. to Argentina that is purplish blue with olive-green upperparts, a red and yellow bill, and a light blue frontal area

an aquatic bird (Gallinula chloropus) of the rail family that is widespread in the New World, Eurasia, and Africa and that has a red bill, red frontal area on the head, and a white band on the flanks —called also gallinule