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Rails

(Rallidae spp)

Size:

- Sora and Virginia: 9 in (23 cm).
- Weighs 3 oz. (84 g).
- Clapper: 16 in. (40 cm).
- Weighs 5 oz. (140 g).

Distribution in North America:

range map legend
Virginia Rail  


Sora

Yuma clapper rail photo by USFWS

There are several kinds of rails. Among them are:
- Sora (Porzana carolina)
- Virginia rail (Rallus limicola)
- Clapper rail (Rallus longirostris)

Habitat:

  • Freshwater and saltwater marshes and ponds.

Notes:

  • Sora has widest distribution of the rails, and has shorter, thicker bill than the others.
  • Virginia rail similar in size to sora, but longer bill and reddish in color.
  • Clapper rail larger than the others; long bill has downward curve.
  • Calls include grunts, clatters, and peeps.
  • They build a nest out of dry grasses woven into surrounding vegetation.
  • They eat seeds, insects, and aquatic plants and animals.

Be sure to check local regulations for hunting or trapping information on this species.

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