| Common Name | King Rail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rallus elegans |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 05/25/2020 |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Zac Cota |
| Mailing Address | 175 Depot Street HYDE PARK, VT 05655 United States Map It |
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| Date Completed | 08/28/2020 |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 43.997213 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | -72.118974 |
| Place Name | Depot Street |
| Township | Bradford |
| County | Orange |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 10:48 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | 20 |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 80 |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 10 |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Mostly sunny with light, high clouds. |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Vortex 10x50 binoculars, Canon Rebel t3i camera with 100-400mm lens. |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | I have seen and heard Clapper Rail in New Jersey. I've seen Virginia Rail on numerous occasions in Vermont and elsewhere. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Marsh area to the north of railroad tracks with cattails and several open areas. |
| Behaviors Observed | Bird was calling and moving around marsh. |
| Description of Vocalizations | Loud kick-like grunt series lasting 5-10 seconds and slowing near the end. |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | My third attempt to locate this continuing bird. I heard the bird calling on 5/22/2020, but returned on 5/25/2020 with the hopes of seeing and photographing it. Rail began calling spontaneously from the marsh to the west of the railroad tracks on the north side of the trestle. I caught a brief glimpse of it moving through the cattails on the far end of an open area. For about 10 minutes it moved through the marsh, calling every 2-3 minutes. When it came closer, I bushwacked down to the edge of the marsh and positioned myself near a small opening in the cattails. After the bird called about 15 meters to the south, I made a series of clucking noises with my tongue. Within a minute I heard a gentle rustling, and the rail slowly and cautiously walked out into the open area in front of me. I was able to observed and photograph the bird from about 3-4 meters away for 1-2 minutes before it wander back off into the cattails. I was also able to audio record a grunt series. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Perhaps the size of a Wood Duck, tail and relatively long necked; also thin in profile as seen well when walking away from me. |
| Head | Gray-tan face, with lighter tan eyebrow and darker brown crown. |
| Feet & Bill | Long, dusky tan legs with long toes. Long, thin, and slightly decurved bill is dusky orange. |
| Upper Back | Tightly checkered tan-gray and dark brown. |
| Wings | Wings held tucked at sides. |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | Neck and breast an nearly uniform rusty brown. Belly and flanks dark brown with white barring. |
| Tail | Short tail held up, undertail feathers dark with white barring. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | Told from Clapper Rail by quality of vocalization, and by brighter orange colouration of breast and neck. Checkering/streaking of back is well defined as opposed to CLRA. |
| Other Notes & Comments | None. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Written from Memory |
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