Yellow Rail: Marsh Mystery

The tiny and enigmatic Yellow Rail is only slightly larger than the Black Rail and is perhaps even more difficult to detect in its marshy haunts. Often described as quail-like in appearance, this stocky rail has dark-brown upperparts striped in pale yellow with fine white crossbars. Its head is buffy, with a dark brown cap and eye patches, and a short yellow bill. White wing patches, only visible in flight, are a distinctive field mark.
As with other secretive birds such as the King Rail and Saltmarsh Sparrow, the best way to detect a Yellow Rail's presence is by voice. However, its call closely resembles another animal's that's not even a bird - so how do you tell the difference?
Read on to find out more: abcbirds.org/bird/yellow-rail/

[@Dumballa]

perfect 😊