Sora

Porzana carolina

Audubon Illustration

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

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About the Sora

The sora, sora rail or Carolina crake (Porzana carolina) is a small waterbird of the rail family Rallidae, sometimes also referred to as the sora rail or sora crake, that occurs throughout much of North America. The genus name Porzana is derived from Venetian terms for small rails, and the specific carolina refers to the Carolina Colony. The common name "Sora" is probably derived from a Native American language. They migrate to the southern United States and northern South America. The sora is a very rare vagrant to western Europe, where it can be confused with spotted crake. However, the latter species always has spotting on the breast, a streaked crown stripe, and a different wing pattern. Soras forage while walking or swimming. They are omnivores, eating seeds, insects and snails.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Porzana carolina
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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