adult (California, USA; 2006-01-28)


Clapper Rail
Rallus longirostris

Native Range: North America and Latin America

Notes: a large secretive rail of salt marshes; its name derives from its vocalizations, which sound like marbles klacking 5-6 times repeatedly inside a plastic bottle; the so-called "lightfoot" form of this species (pictured here) is confined to several patches of Pacific coastal habitat and is considered an endangered species.

note the relatively long bill (California, USA; 2006-01-28)
in typical saltmarsh habitat (California, USA; 2006-01-28)

portrait (California, USA; 2007-11-25)