The little wood rail is a species of bird in the subfamily Rallinae of the rail, crake, and coot family Rallidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Northeast Brazil
Typical Environment
Primarily found in coastal mangrove forests, salt marshes, and brackish lagoons along Brazil’s northeastern shoreline. During the non-breeding season it disperses into nearby inland habitats, including caatinga thickets, restinga scrub, and seasonal wetlands. It prefers dense cover, moving along muddy margins and among mangrove prop roots. Nests are typically placed on platforms or low branches over water within mangroves.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This elusive rail is tied to Brazil’s northeastern mangroves and is most often detected by its loud, rollicking calls at dawn and dusk. Unlike many rails, it undertakes seasonal movements, leaving coastal mangroves to use inland scrub and wetlands after breeding. It forages deftly among mangrove roots for crabs and other small prey, often flicking its tail while it creeps along muddy edges.
Temperament
secretive and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, reluctant flier that stays low over cover
Social Behavior
Usually in pairs or small family groups, maintaining territories in dense coastal vegetation. Monogamous pairs build platform nests over water or in low mangrove branches and share incubation and chick care. Chicks are precocial and follow adults through cover soon after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, rollicking series of cackles and yelps, often delivered in duets at dawn and dusk. Calls carry far across mangroves, with sharp kek-kek notes and wailing phrases used in contact and territorial displays.
