The yellow rail is a small secretive marsh bird of the family Rallidae that is found in North America.
Region
North America
Typical Environment
Breeds in cool, sedge-dominated wetlands from the northern Great Plains and Prairie Provinces across south-central Canada to the Great Lakes and parts of New England. Prefers fens, wet meadows, and shallow freshwater marshes with thick litter and thatch. During migration it uses similar marshy stopover sites but is rarely detected due to nocturnal movements. Winters primarily along the Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic Coast, including coastal marshes and rice fields. Occasional records occur inland where extensive rice agriculture provides cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow rail is a tiny, secretive marsh rail that spends most of its time hidden in dense sedges. Its distinctive call sounds like two small stones being clicked together: tic-tic, tik-tik. It flushes only reluctantly, flying low with rapid wingbeats and showing bold white patches in the wings. Winter rice fields along the U.S. Gulf Coast are important habitat for this elusive species.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and brief flights
Social Behavior
Generally solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, defending small territories within dense sedge marshes. Nests are shallow cups hidden in vegetation, often slightly elevated above water. Chicks are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching, remaining under cover. In winter, individuals may concentrate in suitable rice fields and marshes but still remain elusive.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A dry, mechanical series of clicks: tic-tic, tik-tik, reminiscent of two pebbles struck together. Vocalizes mostly at night during the breeding season, making detection easier by ear than by sight.
Plumage
Buffy-yellow face and breast with finely streaked and barred brown, black, and white upperparts creating a checkered look; flanks barred; underparts paler.
Diet
Eats small invertebrates such as beetles, flies, spiders, snails, and aquatic insect larvae. Also consumes seeds of sedges and grasses and occasionally grains like rice. Forages by gleaning and probing among wet litter and shallow water under dense cover. Diet varies seasonally with invertebrate availability and seed abundance.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense sedge and grass thatch within shallow fens, wet meadows, and freshwater marsh edges. In winter, often uses brackish marshes and rice stubble where cover and food are abundant.
