- Rallus longirostris
Identification
The Clapper Rail is a chicken-sized bird that rarely flies. It is grayish brown with a pale chestnut breast and a noticeable white patch under the tail. Its bill curves slightly downwards
Distribution
It is found along the east coast of North America, the coasts and some islands of the Caribbean, and across northern South America to eastern Brazil. On the west coast, it breeds from central California through Mexico and south to northwestern Peru.
Taxonomy
The Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris) is a member of the rail family, Rallidae.
Clapper Rail and King Rail are closely related, are probably hybridizing in parts of the range, and the two species are sometimes considered conspecific. The west coast subspecies of Clapper Rail are sometimes considered to belong to King Rail. Twentyone subspecies share the range of this species.
Plain-flanked Rail has previously been considered a subspecies of Clapper Rail.
Habitat
Grassy marches and mangroves
Behaviour
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 rarely flies, which is reflected in the many subspecies found across its range.
