- Porzana carolina
Identification
- Brownish grey
- Short, stubby yellow bill
- Black mask
- Barred flanks
- Black on central throat and breast during breeding
- Upperside pattered in brown and black
- Most feathers fringed white
Distribution
Breeds from southern Alaska through mainland USA and northern Baja; winters to the West Indies and northern South America.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Mostly freshwater marshes and rice fields, but in non-breeding season also in more salty habitats including mangrove.
Behaviour
Secretive, but occasionally forages in open, more often than many other rails.
Diet
Invertebrate prey during the breeding season; at other times, plant material (especially seeds) comprises much of diet.
Vocalisation
Includes a descending whirring sound, also described as a whinny. Other high-pitched calls, including a ker-EE and cheer.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Sora. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Sora
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
