The blue-faced rail also bald-faced rail or Schlegel's rail, is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Region
Sulawesi (Indonesia), Wallacea
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and secondary evergreen forests, swampy thickets, and dense understory along streams and forest edges. It keeps close to cover, using leaf litter and root tangles for concealment. The species favors moist microhabitats, including riparian corridors and wet gullies within lowland and hill forests. It avoids open areas and is rarely seen outside dense vegetation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The blue-faced rail is a shy, ground-dwelling rail found only on Sulawesi, Indonesia. It prefers dense, wet forest where it is far more often heard than seen, slipping through tangles with quick, furtive runs. Habitat loss and degradation are the principal threats, and it is considered Vulnerable. Its striking bare blue facial skin gives the species its name.
Blue-faced rail on an Indonesian stamp
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense cover on the forest floor. Nests are likely placed low or on the ground in thick vegetation, with both parents presumed to share incubation and chick care, as in many rails. Breeding biology is poorly known due to the species’ elusive habits.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, squealing calls and repeated grunts or croaks delivered from hidden perches in thick understory. Calls often carry at dawn and dusk, aiding detection of this otherwise inconspicuous bird.
