Wake Island Rail vs African Rail
Hypotaenidia wakensis compared with Rallus caerulescens
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Wake Island Rail | African Rail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hypotaenidia wakensis | Rallus caerulescens |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae | Rallidae |
| Conservation Status | Extinct | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 23.8 cm (9.4 in) |
| Weight | 106.1 g (3.74 oz) | 160.25 g (5.65 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Extinct
Wake Island Rail
Least Concern
African Rail
About These Birds
Wake Island Rail
Wake Island Rail (Hypotaenidia wakensis). Extinct. Flightless; brown with barred underparts; endemic to Wake Island (US territory), central Pacific. Last individuals eaten by stranded Japanese soldiers in 1945 during World War II. Omnivore. Extinction documented by soldiers' own accounts.
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.