African Rail vs Laysan Rail
Rallus caerulescens compared with Zapornia palmeri
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Rail | Laysan Rail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rallus caerulescens | Zapornia palmeri |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae | Rallidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.8 cm (9.4 in) | — |
| Weight | 160.25 g (5.65 oz) | 46.3 g (1.63 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-6 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Rail
Extinct
Laysan 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.
Laysan Rail
Laysan Rail (Zapornia palmeri) is an extinct tiny 15 cm flightless rail formerly endemic to Laysan Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Pale brownish with short wings; lively and inquisitive behavior noted by early observers. Survived until 1944 when introduced rabbits devastated the island's vegetation, eliminating food and cover.