Photo: Internet Archive Book Images / No restrictions (Wikimedia Commons)
Aztec Rail
Rallus tenuirostris
Aztec Rail (Rallus tenuirostris) — Cranes & Rails of Central America & Caribbean.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Aztec Rail (Rallus tenuirostris) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Central America & Caribbean. Adults weigh 306 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Rallus
- Species tenuirostris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 306 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Aztec Rail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Aztec Rail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Aztec Rail (Rallus tenuirostris) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Central America & Caribbean. Its distribution covers MA c Mexico.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 306 g, with a wing length of about 15.3 cm and a tail of around 6.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 189,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Aztec Rail?
The Aztec Rail is a large bird that weighs around 306 g.
Where does the Aztec Rail live?
The Aztec Rail is found across Central America & Caribbean with a range covering MA c Mexico, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Aztec Rail belong to?
The Aztec Rail (Rallus tenuirostris) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Aztec Rail eat?
The Aztec Rail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Aztec Rail migrate?
The Aztec Rail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Aztec Rail endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Aztec Rail make?
1 real field recording of the Aztec Rail — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Aztec Rail's range?
The Aztec Rail has a mapped global range of about 189,000 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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