Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 3.9–5.9 in
10–15 cm - Wingspan
- 8.7–11 in
22–28 cm - Weight
- 1 oz
29 g
Other Names
- Rale noir (French)
- Gallinetia negra, Pidencillo, Polluela negra, Burrito negruzco, Gallinetita rayas blancas, Taquita de salinas, Gallinuelita prieta (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The Black Rail uses areas with shallower water than other North American rails.
Habitat
Marsh
Nests in high portions of salt marshes, shallow freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and flooded grassy vegetation.
Food
Insects
Small invertebrates and seeds.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Egg Description
- Creamy white with fine brown spots.
- Condition at Hatching
- Covered with black down, leave nest within one day. Fed by parents.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Probing
Conservation
Near Threatened
Difficult to estimate populations. Some populations appear to be declining. Considered Endangered in Arizon, Threatened in California.
Credits
- Eddleman, W. R., R. E. Flores, and M. Legare. 1994. Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 123 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union.