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Wading Birds Index

Clapper Rail

- Large, chicken-like, 14-16" tall

- Strong legs

- Long, narrow, slightly down-curved bill

- Gray/brown body with barred flanks & white patch under tail

- Tail short, usually cocked

- Gray cheeks

- Found on salt (sometimes brackish) marshes

King Rail

- Large, colorful rail 15-19" tall

- Long, slender bill

- Rusty brown overall, rusty/chestnut cheeks with sharply black & white barred flanks

- Found in fresh & brackish marshes & swamps; also salt marshes in winter

Virginia Rail

- Small (size of Meadowlark) about 9" tall

- Long, slender, slightly down-curved, reddish bill

- Rich rusty below, with gray cheeks & sharp black & white bars on flanks

- Reddish color on wings

- Small rusty tail, usually cocked

- Found on fresh & brackish marshes; salt marshes in winter

Sora

- Small, plump, 8-9" tall

- Short, yellow bill

- Gray/brown overall with black patch on face & throat

- Short, cocked tail iwth white, or buffy, underneath

- Found in marshes, wet meadows & salt marshes

For more information on Rails, go to ENature.com