African Rail vs Saint Helena Rail

Rallus caerulescens compared with Zapornia astrictocarpus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Rail Saint Helena Rail
Scientific Name Rallus caerulescens Zapornia astrictocarpus
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)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-6 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

African Rail only

Saint Helena Rail only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Rail

Extinct

Saint Helena 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.

Saint Helena Rail

Saint Helena Rail (Zapornia astrictocarpus) is an extinct flightless rail formerly endemic to Saint Helena island. Known only from subfossil bones. Extirpated rapidly after European settlement in 1502 due to introduced predators and habitat loss.

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