Yellow Rail vs White Swamphen
Coturnicops noveboracensis compared with Porphyrio albus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Yellow Rail | White Swamphen |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coturnicops noveboracensis | Porphyrio albus |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae | Rallidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 17.2 cm (6.8 in) | — |
| Weight | 55.666666666666664 g (1.96 oz) | — |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 5-10 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Yellow Rail
Extinct
White Swamphen
About These Birds
Yellow Rail
Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) is a tiny 15–18 cm, secretive North American rail. Yellowish-brown with dark streaking; white wing patches visible in flight. Breeds in wet sedge meadows and fens across Canada and northern USA; winters in coastal marshes of the Gulf Coast. Detected by its distinctive ticking call.
White Swamphen
White Swamphen (Porphyrio albus) is an extinct all-white swamphen formerly endemic to Lord Howe Island, Australia. Known from specimens collected around 1790 and early drawings; had reduced wings indicating flightlessness or near-flightlessness. Extirpated by hunting after European discovery. Related to Australasian Swamphen.