08/25/2026
A juvenile purple gallinule has been spotted at IRWD’s San Joaquin Marsh over the last 10 days. This is the first time the rare bird has been seen in Orange County, and only the eighth time in California.
The bird is typically found year-round in Central and South America, and is a resident in Florida, the Caribbean, and West Mexico for breeding.
“San Joaquin Marsh is always popular with bird lovers and photographers,” said IRWD Natural Resources Manager Ian Swift. “But they’ve really been out in force these past few days hoping to catch a glimpse of the purple gallinule.”
Unique for its bright yellow legs and especially long toes, the purple gallinule can easily get around on lily pads and floating vegetation. Adults have a purple-blue head and can grow to about 12 inches long.
The bird feeds on seeds, plants, insects, frogs and fish, of which there are plenty at the Marsh.
The San Joaquin Marsh is on Riparian View in Irvine, near Campus Drive.
Owned and protected by IRWD, it is a 300-acre system of ponds that naturally treat dry-weather urban runoff to protect the Upper Newport Bay and the ocean. It doubles as a wildlife sanctuary, with more than 10 miles of walking paths. More than 300 species of birds have been spotted there.
The Marsh is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. To ensure the well-being of the plants and the animals that call the Marsh home, no bikes or pets are allowed.
Get more info about the Marsh and read the Marsh rules at IRWD.com/marsh.
