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Black Rail Identification

Black Rail Adult (Northern)
Adult (Northern)

Tiny, short-tailed rail. Head is gray with a red eye and black bill. Upper back is rusty and the rest of the back has white speckling. Very secretive.

© Tom Johnson | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, June 28, 2016
Black Rail Adult (Northern)
Adult (Northern)

Tiny rail that appears all dark in flight.

© Jesse Huth | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 30, 2016
Black Rail Adult
Adult

Tiny and very secretive—most often detected by voice, a squeaky kee-kee-krrr.

© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryJune 01, 2002
Black Rail Adult (Junin)
Adult (Junin)

Tiny, very difficult to see rail. Occurs in tidal marshes and freshwater wetlands in North and South America. Subspecies in Junin, Peru is heavily barred above.

© Ross Gallardy | Macaulay LibraryJunín, June 04, 2015
Black Rail Adult (Southern South America)
Adult (Southern South America)

Tiny rail of freshwater marshes and tidal wetlands in North and South America.

© Alexander Lees | Macaulay LibraryPará, February 23, 2013
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Adult Description

  • Small marshbird.
  • Difficult to see; runs under vegetation.
  • Blackish.
  • Black bill.

Immature Description

Similar to adult, but duller and with less distinct spotting and streaking.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween sparrow and robinbetween sparrow and robin
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 3.9-5.9 in (10-15 cm)
    • Weight: 1.0 oz (29 g)
    • Wingspan: 8.7-11.0 in (22-28 cm)

Species in This Family

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family:Rallidae)

Yellow RailYellow Rail
Black RailBlack Rail
Ridgway's RailRidgway's Rail
King RailKing Rail
Clapper RailClapper Rail
Virginia RailVirginia Rail
SoraSora
Purple GallinulePurple Gallinule
Common GallinuleCommon Gallinule
American CootAmerican Coot

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