Chestnut Rail

Gallirallus castaneoventris

Chestnut Rail (Gallirallus castaneoventris) — Cranes & Rails of Australia & Oceania.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of Indonesia Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Queensland Birds of Western Australia

By family

Rails, Crakes & Coots of Australia Rails, Crakes & Coots of Indonesia Rails, Crakes & Coots of Northern Territory Rails, Crakes & Coots of Queensland Rails, Crakes & Coots of Western Australia

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The Chestnut Rail (Gallirallus castaneoventris) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 684 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
Genus Gallirallus
Species castaneoventris

Where it lives

Aru Is. (southwest of New Guinea) and coastal northern Australia

Australia & Oceania

Quick facts

Weight: 684 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Rallidae
Order: Gruiformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Chestnut 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 Chestnut Rail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Chestnut Rail (Gallirallus castaneoventris) is a species of bird in the Rallidae family, part of the order Gruiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Aru Is. (sw of New Guinea) and coastal n Australia.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 684 g, with a wing length of about 21.5 cm and a tail of around 11.3 cm.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Chestnut Rail?

The Chestnut Rail is a large bird that weighs around 684 g.

Where does the Chestnut Rail live?

The Chestnut Rail is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Aru Is. (sw of New Guinea) and coastal n Australia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Chestnut Rail belong to?

The Chestnut Rail (Gallirallus castaneoventris) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.

What does the Chestnut Rail eat?

The Chestnut Rail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Chestnut Rail migrate?

The Chestnut Rail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.