Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
European gallinule

European gallinule

9.9
A colourful water bird with purple feathers and long toes that lives in wetlands in Europe
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : gallineta
  • The European gallinule is admired for its striking purple and blue feathers.

Examples

  • A conservation program has helped restore the population of the European gallinule in wetland habitats.

  • Birdwatchers in Spain were thrilled to spot a European gallinule feeding near the reeds.

  • Look at that European gallinule!

  • The European gallinule can often be found near wetlands.

  • Birdwatchers in Spain were thrilled to spot a European gallinule feeding near the reeds.

  • The European gallinule is admired for its striking purple and blue feathers.

  • A conservation program has helped restore the population of the European gallinule in wetland habitats.

Synonyms

Porphyrio porphyrio
vsEuropean gallinule
  • Specialized
9.9

A large bright bird with purple feathers and a red beak that lives in wetlands

is limited to southern Europe rather than a wider native range

Surface Forms

European gallinule singular
European gallinules plural

Morphology

European + gallinule

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun combination: 'European' specifies origin/location and 'gallinule' names a type of marsh bird, so the meaning 'a gallinule from Europe' is directly derivable from the parts. This compositional pattern (location adjective + animal noun) is cross-linguistically common and should be clear to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

European gallinule comes from an old word gallinule that meant 'little hen' or 'water hen' because the bird looks a bit like a small hen walking among reeds. So, the name simply tells you it is a small water bird found in Europe.