Chestnut Rail
Gallirallus castaneoventris
Secretive, very large rail (approaching Australasian Swamphen in size), only likely to be seen in and near mangroves, foraging in the mud along tidal creeks and estuaries in northern Australia. Olive brown above, chestnut below, with gray head, chalky yellow bill, and yellow legs. Calls loudly, with grunts and wild honking squawks.
Identification
The chestnut rail (Gallirallus castaneoventris) is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is the largest rail in its habitat, and has two color morphs.
Taxonomy
Genus: Gallirallus; Family: Rallidae; Order: Gruiformes.
- Scientific name
- Gallirallus castaneoventris
- Authority
- Gould, 1844
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Gallirallus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Chestnut Quail-thrush
Cinclosoma castanotum
Heavily patterned terrestrial bird of eastern South Australia, northwestern Victoria, and western New South Wales. White eyebrow and moustache, with a deep chestnut-brown back and intricately patterned wing. Female has white belly and gray chest, male white belly, gray flanks, and black chest and throat. Note gray sides rather than warm brown sides of Cinnamon and Chestnut-breasted quail-thrushes. Usually seen walking around in areas of open mallee woodland and shrubland. Call a long, high-pitched whistled "seeeep."
Three-striped Flycatcher
Conopias trivirgatus
A quite small flycatcher that is a fairly rare inhabitant of the canopy and borders of humid forests, where it typically perches in an upright position on exposed branches. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks. Note the broad white eyebrow contrasting with the black crown (without yellow) and a prominent mask. Mostly olive-brown above and yellow below. Resembles Social Flycatcher, but is smaller and lacks the red crown patch and white throat. The song is a harsh “djew-djew” repeated energetically.
Blue-billed Duck
Oxyura australis
Small stiff-tailed diving duck with a relatively slender dished bill. Floats very low in the water, and unlikely to be seen on land. Male has intense chestnut and black plumage, bright blue bill. Female is dark grayish. Usually observed on the water on deep wetlands. Much longer and less chunky bill than Musk Duck.
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