Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Rails, Crakes & Coots

Rails, or Rallidae, are a diverse family of small to medium-sized birds found worldwide, except for Antarctica, deserts, polar regions, and high mountains. This family includes species like crakes, coots, and gallinules, many of which favor wetlands but can be found in various terrestrial habitats. Rails have evolved a remarkable range, from 12 to 63 cm in length, with some species having markedly long necks and laterally compressed bodies. Their bills are particularly varied, some being considerably long, while others are short and broad, and a few species feature a significant frontal shield. These birds generally have limited sexual size dimorphism and their calls are often loud, aiding communication through dense vegetation. Rails typically exhibit short, rounded wings and although they're not powerful fliers, many can sustain long flights during migration. However, their flight is so weak that it easily leads them off course, which is why they're often found on isolated islands. This propensity for weak flight and even flightlessness is a classic example of parallel evolution, particularly abundant on islands where lack of predators renders the ability to fly unnecessary. Flightless birds tend to have fewer energy requirements, and this has allowed for the diversification and adaptation of rails to various ecological niches on islands. Unfortunately, many island rail species have gone extinct or are endangered due to human activity and introduction of predators. Rails typically have a diet that includes invertebrates, fruit, or seedlings, and they are often shy and secretive birds that prefer dense vegetation near water bodies. They usually lay five to 10 eggs, are most often monogamous, and sometimes experience polygyny and polyandry. Humans have hunted rails for their meat and eggs, and some species like the Guam rail have suffered greatly from introduced species. Conservation efforts continue to try and save those that are endangered. The classification of rails, as evidenced by genetic studies, places them within the larger order of Gruiformes or, in some cases, their own order of Ralliformes. The family is scientifically recognized as having been described by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815 and contains numerous genera and species, with a rich fossil record extending into the Eocene. Some species and genera have recently become extinct due to human impact. Overall, the Rallidae family is characterized by their adaptability and the remarkable cases of flightlessness seen among island species. Conservation efforts remain crucial to protect the existing diversity within this family of birds.

Regions

A photo of a African Crake (Crecopsis egregia)

African Crake

Crecopsis egregia
A photo of a African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis)

African Swamphen

Porphyrio madagascariensis
A photo of a Allen's Gallinule (Porphyrio alleni)

Allen's Gallinule

Porphyrio alleni
A photo of a American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)

American Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica
A photo of a Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla)

Baillon's Crake

Zapornia pusilla
A photo of a Coot (Fulica atra)

Coot

Fulica atra
A photo of a Corncrake (Crex crex)

Corncrake

Crex crex
A photo of a Lesser Moorhen (Paragallinula angulata)

Lesser Moorhen

Paragallinula angulata
A photo of a Little Crake (Zapornia parva) , male

Little Crake

Zapornia parva
A photo of a Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus
A photo of a Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata)

Red-knobbed Coot

Fulica cristata
A photo of a Sora Rail (Porzana carolina)

Sora Rail

Porzana carolina
A photo of a Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)

Spotted Crake

Porzana porzana

Striped Crake

Aenigmatolimnas marginalis
A photo of a Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticus
A photo of a Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)

Western Swamphen

Porphyrio porphyrio
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.
1
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Species Categories

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.