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Merlin Bird ID

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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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