African Rail vs King Rail
Rallus caerulescens compared with Rallus elegans
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Rail | King Rail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rallus caerulescens | Rallus elegans |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae | Rallidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.8 cm (9.4 in) | 31.7 cm (12.5 in) |
| Weight | 160.25 g (5.65 oz) | 333.5 g (11.76 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-6 | 3-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Rail
Near Threatened
King Rail
About These Birds
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.
King Rail
King Rail (Rallus elegans), 43 cm. Largest Nearctic rail; brown above with a rufous breast and barred flanks; long orange-red bill. Inhabits freshwater and brackish marshes in eastern North America. Omnivore: crayfish, frogs and insects. Near Threatened; declining with wetland loss.