Galapagos Rails Birds & Crakes

Category: Waterbirds
Family: Rallidae

Six species of Rails and Crakes have been recorded in Galapagos: 3 resident species and 3 vagrant species. The only endemic species is the Galapagos Rail. Rails and crakes are small to medium-sized ground-dwelling birds with plump bodies; short tails, which are often held erect; shortish necks and bills; and long legs and toes (the feet are not webbed). They are generally rather furtive, mainly inhabiting marshy areas and are usually reluctant to fly. They are good swimmers. The sexes are alike in all species.

THE GALAPAGOS RAIL

Scientific Name: Laterallus spilonotus
Length: 15 - 16 cm (5.9 - 6 in)

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

The Galapagos Rail is an uncommon resident of Galapagos. It breeds from September to April. Population is declining and its range becoming increasingly restricted. Now it is virtually confined to the highlands where it inhabits dense grassy vegetation, thickets and forests.

Identification: A tiny, dark, short-winged rail. ADULT: Upper parts dark chocolate-brown, finely spotted with white; under parts dark slate-gray to grayish-brown; eyes scarlet; legs and feet brown. JUVENILE: Similar to adult but plumage generally duller and slightly paler and lacks white spots on the upper parts; eye dark.

Voice: Gives a range of calls but typically a rapid "chi-chi-chi-chirroo"

Behavior: Rather furtive, although can be very tame and sometimes inquisitive. Flight very weak and runs rather than flies when disturbed.

PAINT-BILLED CRAKE

Scientific Name: Neocrex erythrops
Length: 18 - 20 cm (7 - 7.8 in)

The Paint-billed Crake is a scarce resident of Galapagos, found principally in agricultural areas, favoring dense, wetland vegetation. However, it is also found in damp woodlands and in dry pastures and thickets. Breeds from November to February.

Identification: A small, rather dark mil. ADULT: Upper parts olive-brown; under parts slate-gray with narrow white vertical bars on flanks. The bill is pale green with bright red base and black tip; legs and feet are red. JUVENILE: Similar to adult but plumage generally duller and paler with dark bill lacking the red base.

Voice: Song is a long, descending and gradually accelerating series of staccato notes followed by a few short churrs. Call is a fro-like "qurrk”, either given singly or in a series.

Behavior: Mainly crepuscular and very secretive. Rarely flies unless flushed.

Scientific Name: Gallinula chloropus
Length: 30 - 38 cm (11.8 - 14.9 in)

The Common Gallinule is a resident species of Galapagos, mainly inhabiting brackish lagoons. It breeds mostly from May to October.

Identification: A medium-sized, dark gallinule. ADULT: Generally dark blackish-grey, with distinctive broken white line along flanks, and white under tail-coverts; frontal shield and base of bill bright red and tip of bill yellow; legs and feet yellow, with upper pare of tibia orange. JUVENILE: Much duller than adult, with pale brown under parts and greenish-brown bill, lacking the frontal shield; legs and feet olive-grey.

Voice: Typically an explosive "krrruk", but also gives a range of sharp "kik" and "kark" calls.

Behavior: Distinctive, jerky head movement when swimming.