Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Gruiformes · Rallidae
About
The water rail, western water rail or European water rail is a bird of the rail family which breeds in well-vegetated wetlands across Europe, Asia and North Africa. Northern and eastern populations are migratory, but this species is a permanent resident in the warmer parts of its breeding range. The adult is 23–28 cm (9–11 in) long, and, like other rails, has a body that is flattened laterally, allowing it easier passage through the reed beds it inhabits. It has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, black barring on the flanks, long toes, a short tail and a long reddish bill. Immature birds are generally similar in appearance to the adults, but the blue-grey in the plumage is replaced by buff. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails. The former subspecies R. indicus has distinctive markings and a call that is very different from the pig-like squeal of the western races, and is now usually split as a separate species, the brown-cheeked rail.
Fun Fact
Water Rails are extraordinarily secretive birds that emit pig-like squealing calls from dense reedbeds, rarely seen despite being reasonably common.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Habitat is Phragmites reedbed with the plants standing in water, with a depth of 5–30 cm (2.
Diet
Carnivore
Lifespan
8 years
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance