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Ridgway's Rail Identification

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The Four Keys to ID

  • Size & Shape

    Ridgway’s Rails are chickenlike marsh birds with long, heavy, slightly drooping bills, and short, upturned tails. Head on, these rails look thin, but from the side they appear full-bodied. They are noticeably larger than similarly shaped Virginia Rails.

    Relative Size

    Larger than a Virginia Rail, smaller than an American Coot.

    Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow

    Measurements
    • Both Sexes