Virginia Rail Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesVirginia Rail
Adult
Chickenlike bird of marshes that is smaller than King or Clapper Rails. Note gray cheek, reddish bill, cinnamon neck, and black-and-white barring on the flanks. Walks with its tail held up.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 06, 2016Adult and chick
Downy black chicks accompany parents until they are at least 7 days old. Probes surface of wetlands for invertebrates. Most often hidden from view.
© Dave Spier / Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 22, 2007Adult
A chickenlike marsh bird with a long, heavy bill and a short, upturned tail. Adult is rusty overall with a gray face, coarse dark streaking down the back, and black-and-white barring on the sides.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, April 04, 2022Not all videos have sound
Adult
Chickenlike bird of marshes that is smaller than King or Clapper Rails. Note gray cheek, reddish bill, cinnamon neck, black-and-white barring on the flanks, and white undertail coverts.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, July 09, 2009Adult
Laterally compressed bodies allow them to walk through dense wetland vegetation with ease.
© Jonathan Eckerson / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 01, 2016Adult with juveniles
Slender marsh bird that feeds by probing in shallow marshes and wetlands. Easily vanishes into emergent vegetation, where it spends most of its time.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, July 25, 2001Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles have dark breasts and appear more brown overall than adults.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 24, 2016Adult
Breeds in freshwater wetlands with dense emergent vegetation such as cattail and bulrush. Occasionally uses saltmarshes.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 25, 2015Similar SpeciesRidgway's Rail
Adult
Ridgway's Rail is larger than Virginia Rail, has less distinct barring on the flanks, and is paler cinnamon below.
© Antonio Xeira / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 22, 2016Similar SpeciesClapper Rail
Adult
Clapper Rail is larger than Virginia Rail with less distinct barring on the flanks and a paler bill.
© Greg Cook / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 22, 2006Similar SpeciesKing Rail
Adult
King Rail is larger than a Virginia Rail with a paler bill and reddish or pale (not gray) cheeks.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, July 12, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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