Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis)

Identification & Behavior: ~14 cm (5.5 in). The Black Rail has a rufous back of the neck and upper-back. The rest of the upperparts are dark gray with white bands and spots. The sides of head, neck, and breast are gray. The legs are dark greenish. The flanks and vent area black with white bands. It is similar to Paint-billed Crake, but it is distinguished from this species by conspicuous white bands on the back, greenish legs, and dark bill.  It is also similar to Gray-breasted Crake, but their ranges do not overlap.

Status: The Black Rail occurs in coastal wetlands where it can be uncommon to judge by the number of birds flushed by hunting dogs. The sub species L. j. tuerosi, is known to occur in Lake Junin where appears to be uncommon, but difficult to observe. It also occurs in Ch.

Name in Spanish: Gallineta Negra.

Sub-species: Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis murivagans) Riley, 1916, and L. j.
tuerosi, Fjeldså, 1983.

Meaning of Name: Laterallus: L. lateralis, latus= side, with the sides and rallus=specific name for genus Rallus. jamaicensis: referring to the country of Jamaica in the Caribbean.

See more of the Family Rallidae