The Purple Gallinule is otherwise known as a Swamp Hen or known locally as a Yellow Legged Gallinule.
Purple Gallinules are members of the Rail family and found in tropical wetlands. Their long toes help them navigate the lily pads in their wetland environments.
I also found this great Checklist of Florida Birds while researching this water bird and decided to see how many I can spot.
Port St Lucie, the town I live in, is actually a bird sanctuary. So, there you go, great place for amateur birding to begin.