Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Rail
Rallus caerulescens
African Rail (Rallus caerulescens) — Cranes & Rails of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Rail (Rallus caerulescens) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 162 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Rallus
- Species caerulescens
Quick facts
- Weight
- 162 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Endangered
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Rail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The African Rail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Rail (Rallus caerulescens) is a member of the Rallidae family, within the order Gruiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, sc, se, s.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 162 g, with a wing length of about 11.9 cm and a tail of around 4.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 5.7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Rail?
The African Rail is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 162 g.
Where does the African Rail live?
The African Rail is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, sc, se, s, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Rail belong to?
The African Rail (Rallus caerulescens) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the African Rail eat?
The African Rail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the African Rail migrate?
The African Rail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African Rail endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the African Rail make?
1 real field recording of the African Rail — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Rail's range?
The African Rail has a mapped global range of about 5.7 million 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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