Water Rail
Key facts
Scientific name: Rallus aquaticus
Status: Resident breeding species
Breeding birds: 1,100 territories
Conservation status: Green
Length: 25 – 28 cm
Wingspan: 38 – 45 cm
Weight: 75 – 190 g
Description
Adult water rails have chestnut upperparts with black patches and white markings on the flight feathers. There are chestnut patches on the head and mantel and grey underparts with barring and buff undertails with black spots.
Water rails’ heads are grey with a chestnut line on the crown. They have red bills and eyes and pale brown legs and feet. The female is similar to the male but smaller with a shorter bill.
Juvenile water rails have duller plumage with a white chin.
Nesting
Water rails nest in reedbeds. They build a bulky cup-shaped nest from dead leaves and plant stems hidden in thick vegetation near water.
Water rails eggs are off-white with blotches and they lay 6-11 eggs at daily intervals. Both parents incubate the eggs for 19-22 days.
Water rail chicks are precocial and they are fed by their parents for 20-30 days although they can feed themselves 5 days after hatching. They are fully independent and can fly 8 weeks later.
Feeding
Water rails are omnivorous and will eat plant matter such as roots, seeds, berries and fruit as well as insects and larvae, worms, fish, molluscs and spiders as well as small amphibians and even small birds.
Where to see them
Water rails are secretive birds but can be spotted across the UK except for upland areas.
They are found mainly in Eastern England in freshwater wetlands.
Listen
Beatrix Saadi-Varchmin/xeno-canto
Did you know?
Water rails have been known to kill small birds such as wrens by impaling them on their beaks.