The blackish rail is a species of bird in the subfamily Rallinae of the rail, crake, and coot family Rallidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and possibly Bolivia.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in wetlands across northern and central South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and possibly Bolivia. It inhabits freshwater marshes, swamps, wet grasslands, and the vegetated margins of lakes, ponds, and slow rivers. The species also uses anthropogenic habitats such as rice paddies and irrigation canals where cover is dense. It prefers areas with shallow water and thick emergent vegetation for cover and foraging.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A secretive marsh bird, the blackish rail is far more often heard than seen, slipping through dense reeds and grasses. It readily uses human-made wetlands such as rice fields and drainage ditches. Its presence is often revealed by a series of grunts and squeals at dawn and dusk. It can be confused with the plumbeous rail, but is generally darker and more uniformly sooty in tone.
Temperament
secretive and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier, usually flushes low over cover
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, keeping to dense cover. Territorial during breeding, with pairs nesting in concealed sites in tall grasses or reeds. The nest is a shallow platform of vegetation; both parents care for the precocial chicks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include series of grunts, squeals, and kek-like notes, often delivered from cover. Most calling occurs at dawn and dusk, carrying well across wetlands.
