From Opus

Photo by Fritz73
Gdor. Gregores, Santa Cruz, Argentina, 2001

Rallus antarcticus

[edit] Identification

20 cm.

• Buff-brown upperparts with black streaks
• Pale slaty underparts
• Sides of breast have a brown wash
• Lower belly and vent is black with white barring
• White undertail-coverts
• Red iris
• Dusky red bill
• Pinkish-red legs.

[edit] Distribution

Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego. In Chile, was found to the Santiago area in the past, but has recently been rediscovered in southernmost end of the country.

[edit] Taxonomy

This species was previously thought to be a part of Bogota Rail. No subspecies are known for Austral Rail (monotypic)^[1].

[edit] Habitat

Steppe wetlands with large patches of tall, dense rushbeds, and open areas with lush green grass, swamps, freshwater lakes, and freshwater marshes.

[edit] Behaviour

Shy and difficult to see.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
2. BirdLife International
3. Alvaro Jaramillo. 2003. Birds of Chile. Princeton Field Guides. ISBN 0-691-11740-3

• List of references

[edit] External Links