African Rail

Rallus caerulescens Gmelin, JF, 1789

African Rail, Rallus caerulescens, is a rail of marshes and reedbeds in eastern, south-central and south-eastern Africa. It breeds across that part of the continent, from Ethiopia to South Africa. Among rails, it is the only one with an unmarked back. The bird has mostly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, with barred flanks and undertail. It also has a flattened body, long toes, a short tail and a slim dull red bill. The legs are red. Young birds resemble adults, but buff replaces the blue-grey.

Order

Gruiformes

Family

Rallidae — Rails, Crakes & Coots

Breeding range

Africa: e, sc, se, s