Bare-eyed Rail vs Black Rail

Gymnocrex plumbeiventris compared with Laterallus jamaicensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Bare-eyed Rail Black Rail
Scientific Name Gymnocrex plumbeiventris Laterallus jamaicensis
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Endangered
Length — —
Wingspan 38.4 cm (15.1 in) 13.1 cm (5.2 in)
Weight 287.5 g (10.14 oz) 32.96666666666667 g (1.16 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 4-13
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Bare-eyed Rail only

Black Rail only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Bare-eyed Rail

Endangered

Black Rail

About These Birds

Bare-eyed Rail

Bare-eyed Rail (Gymnocrex plumbeiventris) is a 27–31 cm rail of the Moluccas and New Guinea region. Grey below; brown above; distinctive bare red-orange facial skin around eye. Inhabits lowland rainforest, secondary forest, and forest edges near water. Secretive; walks through leaf litter foraging for invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Black Rail

Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) is a tiny 10–15 cm, secretive rail of North and South America. Very dark charcoal-black with reddish-brown nape and white spotting on back; red eye. Breeds in coastal salt marshes and freshwater marshes; winters further south. Declining sharply due to marsh loss and sea-level rise.

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