Ridgway's Rail Photo Gallery
Large rail with a slightly curved bill and a short tail. Gray-brown above with dark streaking down its back. Note pale barring on the flanks and cinnamon chest and neck.
© Dean LaTray / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 12, 2018Heavy-bodied marsh bird with a cinnamon neck and pale barring on the flanks.
© Becky Matsubara / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 21, 2021Slowly walks through marsh vegetation. Cinnamon below with paler barring on the flanks and grayish brown above with heavy streaking.
© Ryan Andrews / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 21, 2019Chickenlike bird of wetlands where it forages for crustaceans, minnows, and aquatic insects. Note the heavy slightly curved bill.
© Connor Cochrane / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 12, 2020Most often stays concealed in marsh vegetation, but occasionally walks across open wetlands with its tail cocked up and its head pushed forward.
© Greg Gillson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 03, 2014Found in saltwater marshes, freshwater marshes, and mangrove swamps in California, Arizona, Nevada, and coastal western Mexico.
© Shawn Miller / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 05, 2016Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family: Rallidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.