Virginia Rail
Rallus limicola
Medium-sized, bright rail. Overall orange with red bill and legs, gray cheek, and black stripes on back. Similar to King Rail at first glance but much smaller; gray cheek distinctive. Mostly found in freshwater marshes but also found in brackish and saltwater; prefers extensive cattails or reeds but also found in shrubbier marshes. Shy and not often seen, but sometimes wanders along the edge of reeds. Most easily detected by voice. Male "song" is a series of doubled "kiddik, kiddik" notes; most common call is a descending, accelerating series of grunts.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Rallus limicola
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Rallus
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Klages's Antwren
Myrmotherula klagesi
Tiny, compact antwren with a short tail. Males are gray and heavily streaked black. Females are similar but have an ochraceous tinge. Found in the canopy of seasonally flooded forests and on forested river islands. The song is a repetition of double notes: “teWic.” The male of Amazonian Streaked Antwren is rather similar but has a semi-concealed white back patch.
Long-tailed Wood-Partridge
Dendrortyx macroura
Very elusive, chickenlike bird of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forests in the highlands of central Mexico. Usually in pairs or small groups on the forest floor; may be seen beside quiet trails and roads early and late in the day. Runs away quickly and rarely flies. Note the white stripes on black head, red bill and eyering, and overall gray-brown body; tail often held cocked, like a chicken. Loud rollicking songs are given mainly early and late in the day and most often reveal its presence.
Sao Tome Green-Pigeon
Treron sanctithomae
Chunky, medium-sized pigeon that has a green back and gray underparts. Also note the purple shoulders and the whitish bill with a red base. Flight is fast and direct. Sometimes alone, though more often in small groups. The species clambers around clumsily like a parrot but can remain well hidden. Found in the canopy of rainforest, secondary forest, and plantations. Most common at middle elevations. Voice is a quiet but maniacal combination of sputters, whistles, and cackles. Easily identified, as it is the only green pigeon on the island of Sao Tome.
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