Browse all birds

Clapper Rail

ID Info
Clapper Rail by Ray Hennessy
Silhouette RailsRails

Clapper Rail

Rallus crepitans
  • ORDER: Gruiformes
  • FAMILY: Rallidae
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.

More ID Info
image of range map for Clapper RailRange map provided by Birds of North AmericaExplore Maps
Other Names
  • Rascón Crepitante (Spanish)
  • Râle tapageur (French)
  • Cool Facts

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

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

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read