Virginia Rail Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Song (Virginia)
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Saskatchewan, June 03, 2017Recorded by John Patterson | Macaulay Library
Calls (Virginia)
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West Virginia, July 02, 2000Recorded by Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library
Female song (Virginia)
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Pennsylvania, May 25, 1966Recorded by George B. Reynard | Macaulay Library
Calls (Virginia)
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New York, June 18, 2008Recorded by Bob McGuire | Macaulay Library
Calls (Virginia)
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Manitoba, June 25, 1960Recorded by William W. H. Gunn | Macaulay Library
Calls (South American)
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Putumayo, December 19, 2015Recorded by Hernán Arias | Macaulay Library
Calls (South American)
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Putumayo, December 19, 2015Recorded by Hernán Arias | Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Songs

Virginia Rails are particularly vocal in the spring. The birds give a repeated tick-it in the hours surrounding dawn and dusk; this vocalization is thought to be made only by males. Females and males also sing a kick-er that has a stuttering quality to it.

Calls

A long sequence of piglike grunts that tends to trail off at the end emanates from many a wetland in spring. Males and females perform duetting grunts to defend their territories and to communicate with each other throughout the breeding season.

Compare with Similar Species

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Ridgway's Rail

Clapper Rail

King Rail

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Species in This Family

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family: Rallidae)

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Birding by Night

Site Fidelity: The Avian Treasures of Merritt Island, Florida

I found a nest with eggs in it and no adult birds seem to be attending to it. I think it's abandoned, or I scared the parents away. What should I do?

After birds leave a nest box, can I clean out the nest for future use?

Right Bird, Right House: Guide to Birds and Birdhouses for Your Region

Binoculars and Beyond: Nine Tips for Beginning Birdwatchers