King Rail

King Rail

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A large rail of freshwater marshes, the King Rail has declined alarmingly in much of its range over the last 40 years.

Description

• Medium-sized, chicken-like marsh bird.
• Compact body.
• Short tail.
• Strong legs.
• Long, slightly down-curved bill.
• Reddish chest, neck, and back.
• Black-and-white stripes on flanks.

• Size: 38-48 cm (15-19 in)
• Wingspan: 50 cm (20 in)
• Weight: 305-370 g (10.77-13.06 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike, but males slightly larger.

Sound

Calls include a long series of evenly spaced clacks, a short series of deep grunting notes, and a click and trill.

Conservation Status

Severe declines in northern part of range, but populations appear stable in southern states, especially Louisiana and Florida. Declines related to loss of wetlands.

Other Names

Râle élégant (French)
Rascón real, Gallina de agua (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The adult King Rail molts completely after nesting and is flightless for nearly a month.
• The King Rail usually gets its food in aquatic habitats, but will feed on insects away from water. When it catches food on land, it often takes the item to water and dunks it before eating it.

• The male King Rail presents food to its mate during courtship. One male was observed to catch seven crayfish within two hours, and he presented five of those to his mate.

Sources used to construct this page:

Meanley, B. 1992. King Rail (Rallus elegans). In The Birds of North America, No. 3 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC.: The American Ornithologists? Union.