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Adult Description
- Medium-sized, chicken-like marsh bird.
- Compact body.
- Short, squared tail.
- Strong legs.
- Long, slightly down-curved, strong bill.
- Rounded wings.
- Gray or reddish; considerable variation in plumage color within many subspecies.
- Dull stripes on flanks.
- Males average larger in size and mass than females, but the sexes are alike in plumage.
Immature Description
Downy chick black, with pied bill. Juvenile similar to adult, but marking indistinct and with variable amount of black on sides. Relative Size

between robin and crowMeasurements
- Both Sexes
- Length: 12.6-16.1 in (32-41 cm)
- Weight: 6.3-16.8 oz (180-477 g)