Ridgway's Rail
Rallus obsoletus
Large, chickenlike rail of mangroves and fresh marshes in lowlands. Heard more often than seen; its main call is a rhythmic dry chatter. No similar large rails in its range. Note the large size, rusty neck and breast, barred flanks, and long, mostly orange beak. Virginia Rail is much smaller, with blue-gray cheeks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Rallus obsoletus
- Authority
- Ridgway, 1874
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Rallus
Range and habitat
Ridgway's rail forages along the ecotone between mudflat and higher vegetated zones and in tidal sloughs. Mussels, clams, arthropods, snails, worms and small fish are its preferred foods, which it retrieves by probing and scavenging the surface while walking. The bird will only forage on mudflats or very shallow water where there is taller plant material nearby to provide protection at high tide. At such high tides it may also prey upon mice, and has been known to scavenge dead fish.<p>One of the largest populations of Ridgway's rails is in San Francisco Bay, where a total of about 1100 are resident. In the past, however, its geographic range spanned more than 90% of the range of the San Francisco Bay. Other frequent sightings of this species around the San Francisco Bay include the Napa Sonoma Marsh, Bothin Marsh in Mill Valley, Gallinas Creek in San Rafael, Arrowhead Marsh and Damon Marsh in Oakland, the Palo Alto baylands, Charleston Slough in Mountain View, Seal Slough in San Mateo and Belmont Slough.<p>For cover, Ridgway's rail seeks out emergent wetland dominated by pickleweed and cordgrass, or brackish emergent wetland with those two plants plus bulrush. It is not clear whether it requires any source of fresh water. Although not migratory in coastal wetlands, this species disperses juveniles into freshwater wetlands in late August through October. Ridgway's rail has been observed to forage in or near relatively disturbed areas, leading one to deduce the importance of protecting even numeral marsh areas; for example this species was seen foraging in a small mudflat area within Seal Slough in San Mateo, three miles from the nearest known breeding area in Belmont.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Lappet-faced Vulture
Torgos tracheliotos
A massive vulture with a bullish, naked, square head, a bulky bluish-yellow beak, and wrinkled loose skin (lappets) on the face. Adults have a brown-and-white streaked chest and puffy white leggings, while immatures are all-brown. In flight, the very broad wings, white leggings, and small white lines at the front of the wing are diagnostic. Rare and declining but widespread in open country; found in drier areas than other vultures. Aggressive at kills, dominating proceedings and opening the carcass for other scavengers.
Beijing Babbler
Rhopophilus pekinensis
Long-tailed brown bird with a white throat, streaked back, and rusty belly. Inhabits dry vegetation, ranging from scrub to tall grasses to reedbeds. Within its range, size and patterning distinguish it from other long-tailed brown birds, such as prinias. Forages on the ground and low in vegetation, often in small flocks. Wide repertoire; gives long whistles, squeaks, and repetitive bubbly calls.
Rondonia Bushbird
Clytoctantes atrogularis
Large antbird with a very distinctive, robust upturned bill. Males are all black and females are chestnut with a black throat patch. An apparently naturally rare inhabitant of the dense understory of humid forests, where it forages at lower levels, favoring areas with Lepidocaryum palms. The song is a series of musical whistles “tree-tree-tree,” repeated for long periods.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.