Yellow Rail

13-18 cm (5-7") Uncommon and local. Grassy marshes and wet meadows. Tiny, shy and very elusive.

Brownish chickenlike bird with upperparts boldly streaked yellow and blackish crossed by fine white lines; buffy breast; short bill. Suggests a week-old chick running mouse-like through grass. Difficult to flush. In flight, white patch on trailing edge of wings.

Heard more than seen.

Song: four or five "tick-tick" notes like tapping two pebbles together.

Images

Credit: Jerry Oldenettel

Credit: Dominic Sherony

Credit: John Mathews