Hi Kim, You've probably heard this from others already, but in case not -- You're right, Purple Gallinule and Common Moorhen are definitely two different species. They're related, but very distinct. Checking the scientific names, as you did, is a good way to gain insight on this kind of thing. Part of the confusion might stem from the fact that Common Moorhen has had other English names in the past -- it was formerly called Common Gallinule, or Florida Gallinule. But it doesn't even belong to the same genus as the Purple Gallinule, and it's certainly not the same species. Kenn Kaufman Oak Harbor, Ohio ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kimberly Batzer" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2010 10:52 AM Subject: [Ohio-birds] Purple Gallinule I need a little help. I'm being told that the Purple Gallinule and the Common Moorhen are the same birds. My bird books shows 2 different scientific names. I don't care to argue with this person (a family that knows it all), but want to know for the sake of my birding knowledge. They sure don't look the same to me. Thanks, Kim ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]