Madagascar Forest Rail
Mentocrex kioloides
The Madagascar Forest Rail (Mentocrex kioloides) is a rare flufftail found only in Madagascar, weighing about 246 g. The Madagascar forest rail, also known as the Madagascar wood rail or the kioloides rail, is a species of bird in the family Sarothruridae.
About the Madagascar Forest Rail
The Madagascar forest rail, also known as the Madagascar wood rail or the kioloides rail, is a species of bird in the family Sarothruridae. It is endemic to forests, often in wet areas, in northern and eastern Madagascar. The secretive and shy personality of this reddish brown bird has contributed to a lack of study on this species; a reason why it is not that well known. Their smaller size and coloration make them great foragers on the forest floor. As of recent despite habitat loss the endangerment level of the Madagascar forest rail is 'of least concern.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Madagascar forest rail is a medium-sized rail measuring about 28 cm in length and weighing 250-280 g. The sexes are alike in their feathers. Adults are distinguished from the sympatric White-throated rail by their smaller size, shorter bill, darker undertail-coverts and the coloration of the head and upperparts. Fully grown, these birds reach a reddish-brown color while immature birds are born with less color than adults, with less grey on the head and yellow spotting on the undertail-coverts. The subspecies M.k berliozi is slightly larger and paler than the nominate form.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Madagascar Forest Rail?
- The Madagascar forest rail is a medium-sized rail measuring about 28 cm in length and weighing 250-280 g. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Madagascar Forest Rail?
- The Madagascar Forest Rail is a medium sized bird weighing about 246 g.
- Where can you see a Madagascar Forest Rail?
- The Madagascar Forest Rail is endemic to Madagascar, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Madagascar Forest Rail?
- The Madagascar Forest Rail is most easily confused with the Tsingy Forest Rail.
- Is the Madagascar Forest Rail endangered?
- The Madagascar Forest Rail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Madagascar Forest Rail for real
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