Like the Yellow Rail, Black Rails are extremely secretive birds, and are rarely seen by humans. They are the smallest of the rails found in the United States, just sparrow sized. In their marsh habitat, they rarely fly, instead prefering to move through marsh vegetation on foot, often using the pathways and openings created by small rodents. Given their behavior, their status inland in most of the U.S. is something of a mystery. Indeed, Black Rails had never been confirmed in South Dakota until 2010, when breeding was confirmed in the northeast part of the state. The best chance for a birder to come across a Black Rail is by hearing the male's territorial calls late at night. Mimicking the bird's calls can even sometimes lure the birds into visual range of a flashlight.
Habitat:
Black Rails are found near the highest tide line in coastal marshes. Inland, they tend to be found in areas with very shallow water, or even just moist soil, with signfiicant marsh vegetation.
Diet:
Diet isn't well known, they probably feed on a variety of food items, including both vegetation (primarily seeds of marsh plants) and insects and small invertebrates.
Behavior:
Black Rails are rarely ever seen in flight, as they prefer to scamper away on foot through their marshy habitat if they are disturbed. They do appear to feed during both day and night.
Nesting
There is insufficient data on breeding status within South Dakota, although breeding was confirmed in the northeastern part of the state in 2010. During breeding Black Rails build nests a couple of inches above ground or shallow water in a clump of vegetation. Nests are a cup of marsh plant material, usually with a domed top woven over it.
Interactive eBird Map:
Click to access an interactive eBird map of Black Rail sightings
Song:
The Black Rail is most known for its distinctive "kee-kee-krrr" song of the male. A low growling call is also head by alarmed birds or near the nest, while various other high-pitched or raspy calls may be heard at times. Because these birds are incredibly secretive and primarily vocalize in salt marshes during the night, they are far more likely to be identified by this unique voice than by sight.
Migration:
Birds in California and elsehwere in the West appear to be permanent residents. Black Rails do appear to withdraw from northern areas in the winter, however. Inland birds, particularly those in the north, are likely strongly migratory, while those along the East Coast may only be short-distance migrants.
Similar Species:
Generally distinctive in appearance
Conservation Status:
Black Rails undoubtedly are present in smaller numbers and over a more restricted range than prior to European settlement. In areas where inland freshwater wetlands have been drained or otherwise converted to other land uses, numbers have probably suffered the most. Coastal populations may be stable in areas with little disturbance of tidal marshes. The IUCN currently lists the Black Rail as a species of "Least Concern".
Photo Information:
Public Domain photo
