Black Rail (BLRA)
Laterallus jamaicensis
Range
Here we can see the very limited range map for the Black Rail. This bird is located almost exclusively on the East Coast of the U.S. This bird can be seen in the Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia area during its breeding season.
Additional Maps
Identification
The Black Rail is a small bird, measuring about 10-15 cm long. Black Rails can be identified by their pale black body color, chestnut-white spotted wings, and dark-colored heads. These are typically reclusive birds that do not interact with humans very often and will usually get spooked off if approached. Males and females are almost identical but the females can be identified with a lighter neck. This is a secretive bird and is not likely to interact with humans. The Black Rail song is a rhythmic clicking song, usually between one to four introductory notes and one to three concluding notes, with the last note being lower than the rest.
Habitat
The Black Rail resides in marshlands, nesting in both salt and freshwater marshes as well as flooded grasslands. These birds will thrive and nest in habitats with small pools of water and moist soil. The Black Rail will occupy habitats that have materials for nesting, and the species has shown a preference for certain types of vegetation over others. These birds can be seen along the East Coast in marshes close to the ocean as well. Some of this preferred vegetation is cordgrass, pickleweed, saltgrass, black rush, needle rush, and Olney bullrush. It is crucial that the vegetation that is present in the marshes these birds inhabit is tall enough to stay above the water line when flooding is at its highest.
Little is known about the Black Rail during its overwinter/non-breeding period, but there is evidence to support that Black Rails will occupy their habitat year-round.
Conservation Status
- The Black Rail is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are an estimated 10,000-50,000 individuals left in the wild.
Threats to Conservation
The major threat to Black Rail conservation is the loss of suitable wetland habitats. In removing salt marshes for mosquito population control, there is a subsequent loss of Black Rail prey species. This causes marshland to become inhospitable for Black Rail populations. Similar losses of wetlands such as industrial development cause declines in Black Rail populations. Climate change is also a factor in the loss of Black Rail habitat; as water levels continue to rise, the water floor in marshes rises, and the existing vegetation in marshes becomes too low for these birds to survive. Additionally, the Black Rail is known to evade marshes that have become overrun with the common reed.
Funding Opportunities
- Atlantic Coast Joint Venture Black Rail Funding Accomplishments (2021)
- EPA Federal Funding for Marshlands
- Fish America Grants
- Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative Small Grant Program
- NFWF National Coastal Resilience Fund
- United Nations Ecosystem Restoration Wetlands Grant
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants