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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
''R. wetmorei'', the [[Plain-flanked Rail]], is now considered to be split from ''R. longirostris''.<br> | ''R. wetmorei'', the [[Plain-flanked Rail]], is now considered to be split from ''R. longirostris''.<br> | ||
| − | Formerly included in [[Clapper Rail] together with [[Ridgway's Rail]]. | + | Formerly included in [[Clapper Rail]] together with [[Ridgway's Rail]]. |
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>==== | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>==== | ||
*''R. l. cypereti'' - Coastal south-western [[Colombia]] to [[Ecuador]] (where rare) and just into north-western [[Peru]] (Tumbes) | *''R. l. cypereti'' - Coastal south-western [[Colombia]] to [[Ecuador]] (where rare) and just into north-western [[Peru]] (Tumbes) | ||
Revision as of 16:19, 30 October 2014
- Rallus longirostris
Identification
A large rail with a long, slender and slightly decurved bill.
- 33 cm in length, male average 20% larger than female
- Dull grey-brown upperparts with darker feather centres
- White loral streak, grey face
- Whitish throat
- Tawny-buff breast
- Black and white barred flanks
- cypereti paler above and with paler bars on flanks
- phelpsi is pale but darker on crown and upperparts
- margaritae is the darkest subspecies with bolder barring on flanks
- pelodramus is small like margaritae but paler
- crassirostris is like nominate but darker on head and upperparts and darker and more cinnamon below
Sexes similar.
Distribution
Found along the coasts of northern South America from Ecuador to Colombia, Venezuela, the Guayanas and Brazil.
Taxonomy
R. wetmorei, the Plain-flanked Rail, is now considered to be split from R. longirostris.
Formerly included in Clapper Rail together with Ridgway's Rail.
Subspecies1
- R. l. cypereti - Coastal south-western Colombia to Ecuador (where rare) and just into north-western Peru (Tumbes)
- R. l. phelpsi - Extreme north-eastern coastal Colombia and extreme north-western Venezuela
- R. l. margaritae - Margarita Island (Venezuela)
- R. l. pelodramus - Trinidad
- R. l. longirostris - Coasts of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana
- R. l. crassirostris - Coastal eastern Brazil (Amazon estuary to Santa Catarina)
Habitat
Grassy marches and mangroves.
Behaviour
Diet
These birds eat crustaceans, aquatic insects and small fish. They search for food while walking, sometimes probing with their long bills, in shallow water or mud.
This bird is rarely seen flying, which is reflected in the many subspecies found across its range.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2014. IOC World Bird Names (version 4.4). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- Birdforum thread discussing the taxonomy of Clapper Rail
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Mangrove Rail. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Mangrove_Rail
