Weka vs African Rail

Gallirallus australis compared with Rallus caerulescens

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Weka African Rail
Scientific Name Gallirallus australis Rallus caerulescens
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 33.4 cm (13.1 in) 23.8 cm (9.4 in)
Weight 880.5 g (31.06 oz) 160.25 g (5.65 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-4 2-6
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Weka only

African Rail only

None

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Weka

Least Concern

African Rail

About These Birds

Weka

Weka (Gallirallus australis), 53 cm. Large flightless rail; brown with dark streaks; strong bill and legs. Endemic to New Zealand. Inhabits a wide range of habitats including forest, scrub and pasture. Omnivore: invertebrates, lizards, berries and carrion. Near Threatened; locally vulnerable to predators.

African Rail

African Rail (Rallus caerulescens), 28 cm. Brown above with dark streaks; blue-grey underparts; barred white flanks; red bill and legs. Found in freshwater reedbeds and swamp margins across sub-Saharan Africa. Omnivore. Least Concern; common in wetland habitat.

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