Rails- ORDER: Gruiformes
- FAMILY: Rallidae
Basic Description
An elegant dweller of freshwater and brackish marshes, the King Rail is a rich buffy bird with crisp stripes on its sides. This largest of North America’s rails is very secretive as it slips through short marsh vegetation in search of crayfish, crabs, and frogs. Its call is a steady series of harsh notes, more staccato than the call of the very similar Clapper Rail. Owing to wetland loss and modification, King Rail numbers have declined 85% since 1966, putting the species on the list of Orange Alert Tipping Point species.
More ID InfoFind This Bird
Listening for King Rail calls is a good first step in finding them, so aim for quiet, shallow marshes and look for calm, dry weather. These birds often call at night. Look for locations in freshwater and brackish marshes where you can study edges of the vegetation and catch one as it comes into view. Driving slowly along a roadside ditch or dike and watching for movement is another good strategy. Be patient: this species regularly ventures out to marsh edges to feed, sometimes with young in tow.
Other Names
- Rascón Elegante (Spanish)
- Râle élégant (French)