Sakalava Rail

Sakalava rail measures 19 cm with grey underparts, a yellow bill and red eyes. This rail species exhibits some evidence of sexual dimorphism of different body size and colors. Males are smaller, thinner, have rufous-brown upperparts and bright red shanks. Females are larger, have brown-green upperparts and pale pink shanks. Juvenile and immature Sakalava rails look very similar to females. Although 34 microsatellite loci which are polymorphic molecular markers were produced for this species, additional research is needed to confirm sexual dimorphism using DNA or voice analysis. Voice: Sakalava rail performs many bird vocalizations. They emit a "tic–tic" or "tic-tic-tic huaw" call while flicking their tail. They also simultaneously communicate with their partner by vocalizing a "truwruru" every 4 to 6 seconds while motionless. Before mating, both males and females stand side-by-side and simultaneously emit a loud "prourourou".