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WetlandDomed nestSmall · 33 g
ID tip
The black rail is a small black bird with a short bill. Black rails weigh 29–46 g, are 12–15 cm in length, and have a wingspan of 22–28 cm. The body is dark, with white speckles along the back and wings. Both the beak and legs are dark. The eye is brown in juveniles, and gradually becomes red at around 3 months old. It is the smallest rail in North America. It will often make its presence known by its voice. In North America, it has a distinctive ki-ki-krr call or an aggressive, presumably territorial, growl. This is primarily uttered during the night, when these birds are most vocal.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Black Rail
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Black Rail
The map shades 9 countries with regular records, and 5 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Panama, Benin, Nicaragua, Colombia.
About the Black Rail
The black rail is a mouse-sized member of the rail family Rallidae that occurs in both North and South America. It is the smallest rail present in North America and is known for its secretive nature.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Dot-winged CrakeLaterallus spilopteraThe dot-winged crake is 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) long.
Rusty-flanked CrakeLaterallus levraudiThe rusty-flanked crake is 14 to 16.5 cm (5.5 to 6.5 in) long.
Galapagos CrakeLaterallus spilonotaThe Galapagos crake is about 15 cm (5.9 in) long and weighs about 35 to 45 g (1.2 to 1.6 oz).
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