Similar Species
Sora
Adult
Larger than a Yellow Rail with a thicker and longer yellow bill. The neck is gray (not buffy).
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 04, 2016Similar Species
Sora
Juvenile
Larger than a Yellow Rail with a thicker and longer yellow bill. Juveniles have a cleaner breast than juvenile Yellow Rails.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 17, 2016Main Species
Yellow Rail
Adult
Small rail with a short tail, bill, and neck. Yellowish below and dark above with yellowish stripes down the back. Extremely secretive; runs quietly through wetland vegetation.
© Hugues Brunoni | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, July 11, 1997Adult
In flight note white secondaries and stocky rather football-like shape.
© David McQuade | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, October 30, 2014Adult
Small, secretive rail of marshes that is very difficult to see. This video has no audio.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryNorth Dakota, June 18, 1994Adult
Small rail with a short tail, stubby bill, and buffy yellow streaks down the back. Breeds in fresh and brackish sedge-filled marshes.
© Daniel Lane | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, October 28, 2016Adult
Occasionally swims across open water. Note short bill, buffy yellow face with dark eye patch and buffy yellow streaks down the back.
© Luke Berg | Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 01, 2016