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The brown-cheeked rail or eastern water rail is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It breeds in northern Mongolia, eastern Siberia, northeast China, Korea and northern Japan, and winters in southeast Asia. It used to be considered a subspecies of the water rail.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The species differs from the slightly smaller nominate form through its paler upperparts, brown-tinged underparts and a brown stripe through the eye. Compared to R. a. korejewi, it is darker above, has a browner breast, white on the throat and a more obvious brown eyestripe. As indicated above, it has different vocalisations to the other forms, and is now usually given full species status, although its behaviour, nest and eggs are identical to those of other subspecies of water rail.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Brown-cheeked Rail sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in February · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Bogota RailRallus semiplumbeusThe Bogotá rail is a typical member of the genus Rallus, with a long and slightly decurved bill, a plump body, and a short tail.
Ecuadorian RailRallus aequatorialisThe Ecuadorian rail is 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) long and weighs about 85 g (3.0 oz).
Learn the Brown-cheeked Rail for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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