King Rail

The King Rail is the largest rail species in North America, essentially a bigger, more richly colored version of the smaller Virginia Rail. It has warm cinnamon-rufous underparts and breast, brown upperparts streaked with black, gray cheeks, and bold black-and-white barring along the flanks.

Once more widespread, it has declined substantially with the loss of freshwater marsh habitat across much of its range and is now a conservation priority in many states.

Key field marks

• Large size, clearly bigger than other North American rails
• Long, slightly downcurved bill
• Rich cinnamon-rufous breast
• Gray face
• Bold black-and-white barred flanks

Similar species

The Clapper Rail is very similar but duller and grayer, inhabiting coastal salt marsh rather than freshwater habitat; the two species hybridize in brackish zones where ranges overlap. The Virginia Rail is much smaller.

Habitat

Freshwater and brackish marshes, wet meadows, and rice fields.

Range and migration

Found across the eastern and central United States, with a small resident presence in Cuba and Mexico. Northern populations migrate south for winter, while southern populations are largely resident.

Behavior

Secretive, usually staying hidden within dense marsh vegetation.

Voice

A loud, far-carrying 'kek-kek-kek' call, similar to the Clapper Rail's but slightly slower and lower-pitched.

Feeding

Probes mud and shallow water for crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates.

Nesting and breeding

Builds a well-hidden nest of woven marsh plants, sometimes with a domed canopy, low over water.