Alternative name: Abyssinian Rail
- Rougetius rougetii
Identification
30cm. A distinctive African rail:
- Unstreaked olive brown upperparts
- Cinnamon-rufous underparts
- White undertail-coverts
Sexes similar, immatures paler than adults, juveniles undescribed.
Distribution
East Africa: found in Ethiopia and Eritrea including the Bale Mountains.
Widespread and formerly common or abundant. Now rarer and threatened by grazing pressure in marshlands and recent droughts.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Highland swamps, tall grass and reeds near streams. Observed at heights above 2000 m to 4100m.
Behaviour
These birds can be amazingly tame within their range.
Diet
They feed on seeds, aquatic insects, small snails and crustaceans. Forages in open meadows, bare mud and in shallow water.
Breeding
Breeding season from March to October. A monogamous species. The nest is placed on wet ground among high rushes or in rushes over water and is made of dead rushes. Lays 4-5 eggs.
Movements
A resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1996. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 3: Hoatzin to Auks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334207
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Rouget's Rail. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 April 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Rouget%27s_Rail
