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| RAILS |
| 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 |
| Rails: Basic Characteristics - Compact, chicken-shaped, marsh birds - Secretive habits, usually heard before seen - Brief flights with legs dangling - Sexes similar - Eats frogs, crustaceans, marsh plants & insects |
| 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 |
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| Clapper Rail Photo by Steve Nanz |
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| King Rail Photo by Steve Nanz |
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| Virginia Rail copyright Herbert Clarke |
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| For more information on Rails, go to ENature.com |