Ridgway's Rail

Rallus obsoletus

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About the Ridgway's Rail

Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus) is a species of bird found principally along the Pacific coast of North America from the San Francisco Bay Area to southern Baja California, as well as in some regions of the Gulf of California. A member of the rail family, Rallidae, it is a large cinnamon-brown rail that lives in brackish tidal marshes and rarely flies. Its name commemorates American ornithologist Robert Ridgway. 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. It is most active nocturnally and crepuscularly.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Rallus obsoletus
Family: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Order: Gruiformes

Similar species

Other members of the rails, gallinules, and coots family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

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