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.
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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.
Where the Black Rail lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Panama, Benin, Nicaragua, Colombia.
When to see the Black Rail
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Rusty-flanked CrakeLaterallus levraudiThe rusty-flanked crake is 14 to 16.5 cm (5.5 to 6.5 in) long.
Grey-breasted CrakeLaterallus exilisThe grey-breasted crake is 14 to 15.5 cm (5.5 to 6.1 in) long.
Rufous-sided CrakeLaterallus melanophaiusThe rufous-sided crake is 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) long and weighs about 50 to 60 g (1.8 to 2.1 oz).
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