| Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) Vieillot, 1819 |
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Rallus limicola occurs in the Americas. The nomine subspecies is widely distributed in the temperate North America; R.l. friedmanni inhabits mountains of Mexico and Guatemala, and R. l. aequatorialis the Andes of southwestern Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; the latter is sometimes considered a full species. Northern population of R. l. limicola are migratory, arriving in the breeding grounds in April-May, and departing in September-October. Virginia Rail inhabits freshwater and brackish marshes with thick stands of cattails, bulrushes, and other emergent vegetation; up to 3,660 m. Reddish-brown, streaked plumage; grey cheeks; whitish throat; a long, slightly decurved reddish bill; short tail; reddish legs. Chicks are black. Adults measure 20-27 cm, and weigh 55-120 g. Monogamous. Nests are built of stems and leaves of cattails, reeds and grasses; attached to emergent vegetation, and well concealed. Clutch 8-11 eggs; incubation 18-20 days. Both sexes incubate, brood and feed the young. The chicks are precocial. R. limicola feeds on aquatic insects and other invertebrates, frogs, small fishes; seeds of aquatic plants consumed mostly in winter. Common, but secretive.
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