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Black Rail

Laterallus jamaicensisOrder: GRUIFORMESFamily: Rails and Coots (Rallidae)

Breeding Location:

Swamps, Marshes, Wetlands



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Uncommon to rare



Egg Color:

Pale pink to white with brown spots



Number of Eggs:

4 - 13



Incubation Days:

28



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Woven, soft grass, sedges or other available vegetation.



Migration:

Most migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Black Rail: Smallest North American rail, mostly dark gray or nearly black with white-speckled back, belly, flanks. Nape and upper back are chestnut-brown. Eyes are red. Eats seeds of aquatic plants, grasses and grains, insects and small marine crustaceans. Weak fluttering flight with legs dangling.

Range and Habitat

Black Rail: Nests on marshes and open grasslands from southern New England to the Gulf coast states. Spends winters from the southern Atlantic coast states south to Central America. Preferred habitats include marshes, swamps, and wet meadows.

Breeding and Nesting

Black Rail: Four to thirteen brown-spotted, pale pink to white eggs are laid in a deep cup of finely woven soft grass, sedges, or other available vegetation. Nest is usually concealed in a clump of green grass, with grass arched over so it is hidden. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 28 days. Sometimes produces two broods per year.

Foraging and Feeding

Black Rail: Feeds on seeds of aquatic plants, grass, insects, and isopods (small crustaceans).

Vocalization

Black Rail: Usually silent, but during breeding season, male utters a repeated "kic-kee-doo" or "kic-kic-kerr."

Similar Species

Black Rail: Resembles chick of other rails, which lack white spots on upperparts and bars on flanks.

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Family Rail (Rallidae)_blue
Species Laterallus jamaicensis
Length6 Inches
Wingspan10.5 - 11.5 Inches

Black Rail

Black Rail: Smallest North American rail, mostly dark gray or nearly black with white-speckled back, belly, flanks. Nape and upper back are chestnut-brown. Eyes are red. Eats seeds of aquatic plants, grasses and grains, insects and small marine crustaceans. Weak fluttering flight with legs dangling.

● Song: "kic-kee-doo", "kic-kic-kerr"

● Foraging & Feeding: Black Rail: Feeds on seeds of aquatic plants, grass, insects, and isopods (small crustaceans).

● Breeding & nesting: Black Rail: Four to thirteen brown-spotted, pale pink to white eggs are laid in a deep cup of finely woven soft grass, sedges, or other available vegetation. Nest is usually concealed in a clump of green grass, with grass arched over so it is hidden. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 28 days. Sometimes produces two broods per year.

● Similar species: Black Rail: Resembles chick of other rails, which lack white spots on upperparts and bars on flanks.

Flight Pattern

Weak fluttering floppy flight with legs dangling.
Black Rail Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Black Rail: Nests on marshes and open grasslands from southern New England to the Gulf coast states. Spends winters from the southern Atlantic coast states south to Central America. Preferred habitats include marshes, swamps, and wet meadows.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationUncommon to rare
MigrationMost migrate
Weight1.2 Ounces