Water Rail

Rallus aquaticus

Genus · Typical Rails Family · Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Observation tips Difficulty: HARD
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
🌅 Crepuscular
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Muddy marginsReed bedsWater edges

The best time to see them is during a very cold winter. Ice forces them out of the reeds onto open patches of mud.

Water Rail
Stats
Wingspan38–45 cm
Weight70–190 g
Length23–28 cm
Lifespan wild5–9 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size6–11 eggs
Incubation19–22 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Omnivore

🦴Carrion
🐟Fish
🦗Insects
🐚Mollusks
🌻Seeds
🪱Worms

Habitat

🛶 Lake wetlands🌾 Marsh🏞️ River
✦ Fun Fact

The Water Rail's body is so strongly compressed from side to side that it can slip through gaps between reed stems that appear impossibly narrow.

About

A secretive wetland bird that is more often heard than seen. It has a long red bill and a blue-grey face. Its flanks feature strong black-and-white bars. It lives in dense reedbeds. It is a resident in much of Europe but is difficult to spot among the reeds.

Behaviour

Water Rails have bizarre vocalizations. Their loud shriek sounds like a pig squealing. They are omnivores and eat insects, snails, and small fish. They move with a jerky, nervous gait and constantly flick their short tails.

Similar species

Common Moorhen
🐦
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
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