Sora

Sora, adult, breeding plumage; St.Marks NWR, FL; April

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Sora, adult, nonbreeding plumage

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1. Description
2. Similar Species
3. Sound
4. Range
5. Habitat
6. Food
7. Reproduction
8. Conservation Status
9. Other Names

A small, secretive bird of freshwater marshes, the Sora is the most common and widely distributed rail in North America. Its distinctive descending whinny call can be easily heard from the depths of the cattails, but actually seeing the little marsh-walker is much more difficult.

Description

• Size: 20-25 cm (8-10 in)
• Weight: 49-112 g (1.73-3.95 ounces)

• Small marshbird.
• Triangular body shape, with deep rear end.
• Slaty gray body.
• Short, yellow bill.
• Strong legs.
• Short tail, often held upright showing white underneath.
• Black face and bib.

Sex Differences

Sexes look similar, but female is slightly smaller and with a darker bill.

Immature

Similar to adult, but without black face or throat, and is buffy brownish on chest.

Similar Species

• Virginia Rail has a longer and thinner bill, is reddish, and lacks the black face.
• Yellow Rail resembles immature Sora, but is smaller, more yellow, boldly streaked on back, and has a white patch in the wings.

Sound

Call a long, high descending whinny. Also a two-noted "sor-AH" call, with second note higher.

Range

Range Map

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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Summer Range

Breeds from northern Canada southward to New Jersey, Illinois, Nebraska, New Mexico, and central California.

Winter Range

Winters from southern United States southward throughout Central America and the Caribbean to northern South America.

Habitat

Breedsin shallow wetlands with lots of emergent vegetation.

Food

Seeds and aquatic invertebrates.

Reproduction

Condition at Hatching

Covered with black down, leave nest within one day. Fed by parents.

Conservation Status

Common and widespread, but may be declining in some areas. Hunted in numerous states and provinces.

Other Names

Marouette de Caroline (French)
Gallineta de Cienaga (Spanish)

Sources used to construct this page:

Melvin, S. M., and J. P. Gibbs. 1996. Sora (Porzana carolina). In The Birds of North America, No. 250 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.