Ridgway's Rail Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesRidgway's Rail
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, 2016Similar SpeciesClapper Rail
Adult
Clapper Rails look nearly identical to Ridgway's Rail, but their ranges do not overlap. Clappers tend to have grayer cheeks than Ridgway's Rail.
© Brooke Miller / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 23, 2014Similar SpeciesClapper Rail
Adult
Clapper Rails look nearly identical to Ridgway's Rail, but are often paler and their ranges do not overlap.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, July 13, 2013Similar SpeciesVirginia Rail
Adult
Virginia Rail is smaller and brighter reddish overall than Ridgway's Rail with a brighter colored bill, and distinctly gray (not cinnamon) cheeks and face.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 06, 2016Similar SpeciesKing Rail
Adult
King Rail has more distinct flank stripes than Ridgway's Rail.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, July 12, 2016Similar SpeciesKing Rail
Adult
King Rail is generally is more reddish with more distinct flank stripes than Ridgway's Rail.
© Doug Gochfeld / Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, May 28, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family: Rallidae)
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