Rouget's Rail
Rougetius rougetii
This unusual rail can be quite tame, and is often found well away from water. The upperparts are olive-brown, the underparts are rufous, and the bright white undertail is often revealed when the tail is flicked up while walking. Found in montane habitats, including wetlands, scrub, and heath. Within its small range, unlikely to be confused with other rails. Calls include a two-part “ki-kee” and a rising “krrreeeee.”
Identification
Rouget's rail (Rougetius rougetii) is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is the only member of the genus Rougetius. It is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Taxonomy
Genus: Rougetius; Family: Rallidae; Order: Gruiformes.
- Scientific name
- Rougetius rougetii
- Authority
- (Guérin-Méneville, 1843)
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Rougetius
Range and habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, swamps, freshwater marshes, pastureland, rural gardens, and urban areas.It is threatened by habitat loss.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Ashy-bellied White-eye
Zosterops citrinella
Small songbird with bright yellowish upperparts and white “goggles.” Most subspecies have gray underparts; subspecies “unicus” of Sumbawa and Flores has a yellow belly. Compare with other white-eyes in various parts of their range; note present species combination of dark iris and yellow back. Inhabits a wide range of different wooded habitats across its range, including coastal scrub, mangroves, inland forests, and forest edge. Forages actively in small to medium-sized flocks, sometimes mixing with other species. Can be quite common on small islands. Twittering song is bright but unremarkable. Most frequently given call is a somewhat variable high-pitched, descending “djee.”
Rufescent Prinia
Prinia rufescens
Small prinia with gray head, warm brown upperparts, and white underparts. Also shows white eyebrow and graduated tail with pale tips to the outer tail feathers. Note warmer brown tones and lack of strongly “vested” appearance when compared with Gray-breasted Prinia. Favors brushy or grassy edges as well as more open areas, including agricultural fields and gardens. Forages low in the vegetation, sometimes in mixed-species groups. Song is a loud, resonating “chewchewchewchewchew.”
Roviana Rail
Gallirallus rovianae
A flightless rail with a plain rufous back and neck, a plain gray throat and narrow eyebrow, a dark bill, and underparts barred brown and white. Seemingly tolerant of a wide variety of habitats, including secondary forest and gardens. Similar to Buff-banded Rail, but underparts barred brown-and-white, not black-and-white, and upperparts much plainer. Call is reportedly a rapidly repeated high-pitched “ki-ti-ki-ti-ki-ti.”
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