Overview
The Virginia rail (Rallus limicola) is a small waterbird, of the family Rallidae.
These birds remain fairly common despite continuing loss of habitat, but are secretive by nature and more often heard than seen. They are also considered a game species in some provinces and states, though rarely hunted. The Ecuadorian rail is often considered a subspecies, but some taxonomic authorities consider it distinct.
These birds remain fairly common despite continuing loss of habitat, but are secretive by nature and more often heard than seen. They are also considered a game species in some provinces and states, though rarely hunted. The Ecuadorian rail is often considered a subspecies, but some taxonomic authorities consider it distinct.
Habitat & distribution
Habitats
FreshwaterTerrestrial
Video
Sounds
Species Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola)
Recordist Jonathon Jongsma
Remarks Based on forum feedback and comparison to other recordings, I'm convinced this was a Virginia Rail. Original comments retained below: Unknown bird calling from either within the cattails, or from behind the cattails out of sight on the mudflats. I heard this call twice during the time that I was here. The call appeared to come from the exact same spot that I had seen a Virginia Rail earlier, but it doesn't sound like any Virginia Rail vocalization that I know. Also present at that location foraging in the mudflats around a beaver dam: American Pipit, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Nelson's Sparrow, Myrtle Warbler, Song and Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, etc.
Bird seen no
Playback used no
Location Minnesota Valley NWR, Bass Ponds, Hennepin, MN
Elevation 220 m
Country United StatesJonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 3.0
References
- GBIF Auto Sync GBIF
- WoRMS / Aphia World Register of Marine Species
- Wikipedia — Virginia rail Wikipedia
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