Photo: The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Plain-flanked Rail
Rallus wetmorei
Plain-flanked Rail (Rallus wetmorei) — Cranes & Rails of South America.
The Plain-flanked Rail (Rallus wetmorei) is a member of the Rallidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 259 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Rallus
- Species wetmorei
Quick facts
- Weight
- 259 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Plain-flanked Rail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Plain-flanked Rail is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Plain-flanked Rail (Rallus wetmorei) is a species of bird in the Rallidae family, part of the order Gruiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA Venezuela.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 259 g, with a wing length of about 12.5 cm and a tail of around 4.6 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 117 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Plain-flanked Rail?
The Plain-flanked Rail is a large bird that weighs around 259 g.
Where does the Plain-flanked Rail live?
The Plain-flanked Rail is found across South America with a range covering SA Venezuela, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Plain-flanked Rail belong to?
The Plain-flanked Rail (Rallus wetmorei) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Plain-flanked Rail eat?
The Plain-flanked Rail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Plain-flanked Rail migrate?
The Plain-flanked Rail is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Plain-flanked Rail endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Plain-flanked Rail make?
1 real field recording of the Plain-flanked Rail — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Plain-flanked Rail's range?
The Plain-flanked Rail has a mapped global range of about 117 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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