The white-throated rail or Cuvier's rail is a species of bird in the family Rallidae.
Region
Western Indian Ocean islands
Typical Environment
Occurs across Madagascar and outlying islands including Aldabra (Seychelles) and parts of the Comoros. It uses a wide variety of habitats from coastal scrub, mangroves, and coconut groves to forest edges, marshes, and agricultural mosaics. On Aldabra it frequents open scrub and coastal herblands, while in Madagascar it is common along wet thickets and rank grass near water. It tolerates some human-modified landscapes provided dense ground cover is available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called Cuvier's rail, this species is native to Madagascar and nearby western Indian Ocean islands. The Aldabra subspecies (often known as the Aldabra rail) is flightless and considered the last surviving flightless bird in the Indian Ocean. Rails are adept runners and often prefer dashing through cover to flying. They can be surprisingly bold on predator-free islands.
Illustration of the extinct Assumption Island subspecies, 1908
Temperament
secretive but can be confiding where not persecuted
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier and often runs
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories with dense ground cover. Nests are placed on or near the ground in thick vegetation. Both sexes likely share incubation and chick rearing, and families may stay together for some weeks after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes sharp kek-kek notes, grating squeals, and chattering duets, often delivered from cover. Dawn and dusk choruses can carry surprisingly far. Alarm calls are harsh and repeated when disturbed.
