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Clapper Rail

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Clapper Rail by Ray Hennessy

Rails

Clapper Rail

Rallus crepitans

ORDER: Gruiformes
FAMILY: Rallidae

HabitatMarshes
FoodOmnivore
NestingGround
BehaviorProbing
ConservationLow Concern

Basic Description

The large Clapper Rail is abundant in saltwater marshes and mangrove swamps from the U.S. East Coast to Central America and the Caribbean. This secretive bird lives most of its life concealed in dense vegetation. In 2014, the species was split into three: Clapper Rail; Ridgway's Rail of California, Arizona, and Nevada; and Mangrove Rail of South America.

image of range map for Clapper Rail

Range map provided by Birds of North AmericaExplore Maps

Other Names

Rascón Costero del Atlántico (Spanish)
Râle tapageur (French)

Cool Facts
- Clapper Rails have special salt glands that enable them to drink sea water.
- Eggs submerged in up to 18 inches of water during high tide are still capable of hatching.
- After leaving the nest, young are continually brooded by parents until they are about a week old. The parents may use the original nest, construct a temporary brood nest, or use floating debris.
- Chicks less than two weeks old are carried on the adults’ backs during periods of high water or when the birds move across open water.
- When chicks are about a week old, the parents divide the brood and each look after half the offspring.
- The oldest recorded Clapper Rail was a male, and at least 7 years, 6 months old when he was shot in New Jersey in 1977. He had been banded in the same state in 1971.

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Ridgway's Rail Adult is similar to Clapper Rail

Virginia Rail (Virginia) Adult is similar to Clapper Rail

Virginia Rail (Virginia)

King Rail Adult is similar to Clapper Rail

Species in This Family

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

Purple Gallinule

Purple Gallinule

Common Gallinule

Common Gallinule

Browse Species in This Family

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