Gallinula melanops
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~30% in a week ~60%
The spot-flanked gallinule (Porphyriops melanops) is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is monotypic in the genus Porphyriops. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
Its natural habitats are swamps and freshwater lakes, but it is able to survive in properly managed artificial ponds. Its population has declined significantly in recent decades. The spot-flanked gallinule has a W chromosome that is larger than its Z chromosome, which is unique among bird species.
The spot-flanked gallinule weighs between 154 and 225 grams, with an average length of 28 cm, often described as a small waterfowl-like bird. Its head, chin, neck and breast feathers are a slate gray, contrasting with the black forehead and crown, extending to the top of the nape. Its covert feathers are a brown, cocoa-like, color while primary feathers tend to have a slight color contrast and are a darker shade of brown. As the name suggests, the flanks of this species is brown with white mottling with its rump a mix of the same shades of brown and white. Juveniles do not have any contrasting plumage and are typically entirely black before developing... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iberá National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina |
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rosario | 🇦🇷 Argentina | |
| 2 | Buenos Aires | 🇦🇷 Argentina | |
| 3 | Santiago | 🇨🇱 Chile | |
| 4 | Bogota | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 5 | Montevideo | 🇺🇾 Uruguay |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Spot-flanked Gallinule sighting in Buenos Aires on a given day, based on 1,857 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 84th most-seen of the 274 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 60%, if each day is a fresh chance.
July to September
In those months about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Spot-flanked Gallinule in Buenos Aires on a given day, against under 5% in May, the lowest month.
Between 3 and 6 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Spot-flanked Gallinule sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 5 cities where we can rate Spot-flanked Gallinule sightings, Buenos Aires ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Rosario (Argentina, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Spot-flanked Gallinule is recorded against all the birds logged in Buenos Aires (1,857 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
