Clapper Rails are chickenlike marsh birds with stout bills and stubby tails. They are noticeably larger than similarly shaped Virginia Rails. Clapper Rails look thin when viewed head-on, as if they have been squeezed together from the sides. This “lateral compression” helps them navigate smoothly through the dense vegetation they inhabit.
Relative Size
Larger than a Virginia Rail, smaller than an American Coot.
![Relative Size](/guide/images/size/scale.png)
![between robin and crow](/guide/images/size/btwn-robin-crow.png)
Measurements- Both Sexes
- Length: 12.6-16.1 in (32-41 cm)
- Weight: 9.2-14.1 oz (260-400 g)
- Length: 12.6-16.1 in (32-41 cm)
- Weight: 9.2-14.1 oz (260-400 g)