From Opus

Pardirallus maculatus

Photo by Fritz73
Photo taken: Costanera Sur Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Identification

Medium size rail with red legs and iris, yellowish bill with red spot at the base. The body seems to be mostly black with white markings that on the upperside and upper breast are spots, while the rest of the underside is barred.

Distribution

Cuba, Hispaniola, and probably Jamaica in the West Indies, as well as Mexico to South America. Critically endangered in the West Indies due to habitat destruction.

Taxonomy

Two subspecies are known, maculatus and insolitus.

Habitat

Freshwater swamps and rice fields

Behaviour

Very difficult to see, more often heard. Mostly seems solitary.

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