Rails, Coots

Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis

Family Rallidae (Rails, Coots)

Size: 6"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Saltwater or freshwater wetlands

The black rail is a rare, diminutive, secretive rail that is difficult to see as it skulks in dense wetland vegetation. It is plump with a short tail and bill and has bright-red eyes. The plumage is dark gray brown above and slatey gray below, with white spotting across the back and flanks and a rust patch across the upper shoulders. Both sexes and juveniles are similar. Black rails are active mostly at night, voicing a ragged kik-a dow, or low cooing sound. They will often run rather than fly when disturbed. They forage among grasses for aquatic invertebrates, plants, and seeds. The adult is illustrated.