Rails, Gallinules and Coots

Order: GRUIFORMES - Family: RALLIDAE

142 Species currently existing - 29 in region

Rails, gallinules, and coots are three types of waterbirds that belong to the family Rallidae. They are often found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, and ponds.

Rails: Rails are small to medium-sized birds with long legs and long toes adapted for walking on soft mud and vegetation in wetlands. They have short, rounded wings and are known for their secretive behavior, often staying hidden in dense vegetation. Rails are typically brown or grayish in color with streaks or bars on their underside. Some common species of rails include the Virginia rail and the king rail.

Gallinules: Gallinules, also known as moorhens in some regions, are medium-sized birds with brightly colored plumage, often featuring shades of blue, purple, and red on their bodies and heads. They have a distinctive red frontal shield on their foreheads and a yellow-tipped red bill. Gallinules have relatively long toes and can be seen walking on floating vegetation or swimming in open water. The common gallinule is a well-known species found in North and South America.

Coots: Coots are medium-sized waterbirds with dark plumage, usually gray or black, and white undertail feathers that are often visible in flight. They have a white bill and a characteristic frontal shield that extends onto their forehead, which can be red, orange, or white depending on the species. Coots have lobed toes that aid them in swimming and diving for aquatic vegetation. The American coot is a widespread species in North America.

These three types of birds share similar habitats and dietary preferences, feeding on a variety of aquatic plants, insects, and small vertebrates. They are also known for their loud calls and social behaviors, often seen in groups or pairs within their wetland environments.

Speckled Rail

Coturnicops notatus
Spanish Name: Polluela Moteada

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, reedbeds, and other similar wetland habitats.
Height: <400 m

Photo: © bruno hang eBird S69762175 Macaulay Library ML 239413581

Ocellated Crake

Micropygia schomburgkii
Spanish Name: Polluela Ocelada

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and other waterlogged areas with dense vegetation.
Height: <500m

Photo: © Daniel Branch eBird S64471115 Macaulay Library ML 209902731

Chestnut-headed Crake

Rufillarus castaneiceps
Spanish Name: Polluela Colorada

Size: 9 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and areas with tall grasses.
Height: < 1500 m

Photo: © Alex Wiebe eBird S38464994 Macaulay Library ML 65452001

Russet-crowned Crake

Rufillarus viridis
Spanish Name: Polluela cabecirrufa

Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: Marshes, wetlands, and areas with dense vegetation along rivers, ponds, and lakes.
Height: < 1400 m

Photo: © Luiz Alberto dos Santos eBird S69908558 Macaulay Library ML 240901201

Rufous-sided Crake

Laterallus melanophaius
Spanish Name: Polluela Pechiblanca

Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: Small bodies of fresh water
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © Pablo Re eBird S73803659 Macaulay Library ML 269805001

White-throated Crake

Laterallus albigularis
Spanish Name: Polluela Gorgiblanca

Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: wetlands, marshes, and areas with dense vegetation.
Height: <2000 m

Photo: © Anonymous eBird S44478199 Macaulay Library ML 99399861

Gray-breasted Crake

Laterallus exilis
Spanish Name: Polluela Bicolor

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, swamps, and areas with dense vegetation near water sources.
Height: <1200 m

Photo: © Henry Sandi Amador eBird S38941590 Macaulay Library ML 67713171

Black Rail

Laterallus jamaicensis
Spanish Name: Polluela Negra

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Coastal salt marshes, wetlands, and areas with dense vegetation near water.
Height: <2600 m

Photo: © Héctor Bottai eBird S78062977 Macaulay Library ML 291450671

Mangrove Rail

Rallus longirostris
Spanish Name: Rascón Manglero

Size: 13 in | 33 cm
Habitat: Mangrove ecosystems and other coastal wetlands.
Height: < 200 m

Photo: © Nigel Voaden eBird S17816285 Macaulay Library ML 45273571

Virginia Rail

Rallus limicola
Spanish Name: Rascón de Nariño

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Freshwater and brackish marshes, wetlands, and reed beds.
Height: 2200-3000 m

Photo: © Evan Lipton eBird S29498627 Macaulay Library ML 29069861

Bogota Rail

Rallus semiplumbeus
Spanish Name: Rascón Bogotano

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: High-altitude wetlands and marshes near Bogota. It is a localized species with a restricted range.
Height: 2500-3600 m

Photo: © Neil Diaz eBird S15511791 Macaulay Library ML 42994581

Brown Wood-rail

Aramides wolfi
Spanish Name: Chilacoa Parda

Size: 13 in | 33 cm
Habitat: Dense forests, mangroves, marshes, and wetland areas.
Height: < 900 m

Photo: © Lisa Brunetti eBird S39378469 Macaulay Library ML 69897491

Gray-cowled Wood-rail

Aramides cajaneus
Spanish Name: Chilacoa Colinegra

Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Mangroves, swamps, marshes, and wet forests.
Height: < 2300 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Rufous-necked Wood-rail

Aramides axillaris
Spanish Name: Chilacoa Costera

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: Dense forests, mangroves, swamps, and wetland areas near water bodies.
Height: < 1500 m

Photo: © Sean Williams eBird S62793957 Macaulay Library ML 200071961

Uniform Crake

Amaurolimnas concolor
Spanish Name: Polluela Rufa

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and areas with dense vegetation near water sources such as ponds, lakes, and rivers.
Height: 600-1500 m

Photo: © Leli Perez eBird S125777897 Macaulay Library ML 522199701

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallarus albicollis
Spanish Name: Polluela Cienaguera

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, swamps, and areas with dense vegetation near water bodies.
Height: < 1800 m

Photo: © Joao Quental JQuental eBird S39256465 Macaulay Library ML 145181311

Colombian Crake

Mustelirallus colombianus
Spanish Name: Polluela Pizarra

Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, mangroves, and other freshwater or brackish habitats with dense vegetation.
Height: 200 - 1800 m

Photo: © Jordan Roderick Macaulay Library eBird

Paint-billed Crake

Mustelirallus erythrops
Spanish Name: Pollluela Piquirroja

Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, swamps, and other dense vegetated areas near water bodies.
Height: < 600 m

Photo: © Daniel Hernandez eBird S68432791 Macaulay Library ML 232169081

Spotted Rail

Pardirallus maculatus
Spanish Name: Rascón Overo

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, grasslands, and other areas with dense vegetation near water sources.
Height: 400 - 2000 m

Photo: © Luke Seitz eBird S54465589 Macaulay Library ML 148841621

Blackish Rail

Pardirallus nigricans
Spanish Name: Rascón Negruzco

Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, grasslands, and areas with dense vegetation near water bodies.
Height: 500 - 2200 m

Photo: © Peter Hawrylyshyn eBird S25337302 Macaulay Library ML64847061

Yellow-breasted Crake

Hapalocrex flaviventer
Spanish Name: Polluela de Antifaz

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, reed beds, and other similar habitats with dense vegetation near water bodies.
Height: < 1000 m

Black-banded Crake

Porzana fasciata
Spanish Name: Polluela Barrada

Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, reed beds, and areas with dense vegetation near water bodies.
Height: < 500 m

Sora

Porzana carolina
Spanish Name: Polluela Norteña

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Wetlands with high grass.
Height: < 3000 m

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinicus
Spanish Name: Polla azul

Size: 13 in | 33 cm
Habitat: Marshes, swamps, and wetlands with abundant vegetation.
Height: < 3200 m

Azure Gallinule

Porphyrio flavirostris
Spanish Name: Polla Llanera

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Marshes, swamps, and wetland areas with dense vegetation.
Height: < m

Common Gallinule

Gallinule galeata
Spanish Name: Polla Gris

Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Marshes, swamps, ponds, and other wetland areas with dense vegetation.
Height: <3300 m

Spot-flanked Gallinule

Porphyriops melanops
Spanish Name: Polla Sabanera

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, and lakes withwetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, and lakes w
Height: 2300 - 3100 m

American Coot

Fulica americana
Spanish Name: Focha Americana

Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Freshwater habitats such as marshes, ponds, and lakes, where they feed on aquatic plants, insects, and small fish
Height: <3300 m

Andean Coot (Slate-colored Coot)

Fulica ardesiaca
Spanish Name: Focha Andina

Size: 17 in | 43 cm
Habitat: Wetlands, marsh vegetation.
Height: 2200-3600 m

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