Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Nkulengu Rail
Himantornis haematopus
Nkulengu Rail (Himantornis haematopus) — Cranes & Rails of Africa.
The Nkulengu Rail (Himantornis haematopus) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 586 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 Himantornis
- Species haematopus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 586 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Nkulengu Rail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Nkulengu Rail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Nkulengu Rail (Himantornis haematopus) is a member of the Rallidae family, within the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Sierra Leone to Uganda and c DR Congo.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 586 g, with a wing length of about 20.8 cm and a tail of around 8.3 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 2.4 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Nkulengu Rail?
The Nkulengu Rail is a large bird that weighs around 586 g.
Where does the Nkulengu Rail live?
The Nkulengu Rail is found across Africa with a range covering AF Sierra Leone to Uganda and c DR Congo, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Nkulengu Rail belong to?
The Nkulengu Rail (Himantornis haematopus) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Nkulengu Rail eat?
The Nkulengu Rail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Nkulengu Rail migrate?
The Nkulengu Rail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Nkulengu 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 Nkulengu Rail make?
1 real field recording of the Nkulengu 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 Nkulengu Rail's range?
The Nkulengu Rail has a mapped global range of about 2.4 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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