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A photo of a Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus)
Ridgway's Rail

Ridgway's Rail

Rallus obsoletus

Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus) is a near-threatened species of bird. It is found principally in California's San Francisco Bay to southern Baja California. A member of the rail family, Rallidae, it is a chicken-sized bird that rarely flies. This species is closely related to the clapper rail, and until recently was considered a subspecies. It has a long, downward curving bill and is grayish brown with a pale chestnut breast and conspicuous whitish rump patch. The population levels of Ridgway's rail are precariously low due to destruction of its coastal and estuarine marshland habitat by prior land development and shoreline fill. It has year-long, circadian activity and is most vocal nocturnally and crepuscularly. The Ridgway's rail pertains to the Rallidae family within order Gruiformes. The California subspecies naturally exists in tidal salt and brackish marshes. These ecosystems are subjected to freely flowing daily tidal flows, a sustainable amount of prey food supply consisting of invertebrates, advanced tidal waterway systems, and apt nesting areas and covered spaces that serve as protection during dangerous high tides.
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Ridgway's Rails on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A photo of a Ridgway's Rail photographed in Heritage Park--Palo Alto (SCL Co.) United States
Profile picture for Winnie Poon
Winnie Poon
Wednesday 15 Mar 2023 - 9:27pm
United States
A photo of a Ridgway's Rail photographed in Heritage Park--Palo Alto (SCL Co.) United States
Profile picture for Winnie Poon
Winnie Poon
Wednesday 15 Mar 2023 - 9:26pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🐦
Valerie Topham
Wednesday 04 Jan 2023 - 1:25pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Lucas Corneliussen
Lucas Corneliussen
Sunday 06 Nov 2022 - 3:25pm
United States
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