Rails, Coots

Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola

Family Rallidae (Rails, Coots)

Size: 9.5"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Freshwater or brackish marshes

The Virginia rail is a small, secretive, cryptic marsh bird with a proportionately long, reddish, downcurved bill. Its plumage is rusty brown overall with darker streaking on the back and black-and-white barring about the flanks. The head has a dark crown and lores and a gray face. The legs are thick, with long toes for support in the aquatic habitat. Virginia rails are active mostly at dawn and dusk, skulking through vegetation, probing the mud for worms, aquatic invertebrates, and plants. Their voice is a quick, repetitive, two- or three-part kik-kik. The adult is illustrated.