Brown-cheeked Rail

Rallus indicus

Least ConcernRareFishWetlandCup nestMedium · 105 g

About the Brown-cheeked Rail

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

Recording: Jochem Verweij · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in February · a winter visitor species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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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