Rallus elegans
king rail

Rallus elegans prefers permanent fresh water marshes in the Midwest, although it uses brackish wetlands elsewhere. Grasses, sedges, rushes and cattails are important cover types. They are typically found in in rice fields in the southern United States and rarely along roadside ditches. Rallus elegans is also found in coastal regions that contain salt water marshes. (Darrah and Krementz, 2009; Poole, et al., 2005)

Rallus elegans is a large, slender, rust-colored marsh bird with a long bill and long toes. It is the largest North American rail. Rallus elegans features an olive-brown upper body, reddish-brown breast and black-and-white barred flanks. Its tail is short and often lifted up. Females and males are similar, females generally are smaller than males. Females, on average weigh 11 to 13 ounces while males, on average, weigh 12 ounces.

Rallus elegans chicks are downy and black in coloration. They can be confused for black rails (Laterallus jamaicensis), but R. elegans have dark (not red) eyes, a white bill and lack spotting on their backs. Juveniles are similar to adults, but markings are indistinguishable with variable amounts of black on their sides.

Virgina rails (Rallus limicola) occur in the same habitats, are gray-cheeked, smaller versions of R. elegans and lack the extensive barring on the sides of R. elegans. Clapper rails (Rallus longirostris) are also similar to R. elegans in appearance, but are smaller and have dull black-and-white stripes on the flanks. ("King Rail", 2001; "Rail", 2010; Darrah and Krementz, 2009; )

Currently, all evidence suggests Rallus elegans is a monogamous species. Male Rallus elegans utilize several courtship displays to attract a mate. Male courtship behaviors include strutting with tail held vertically, exposing the white under tail coverts, tail flicking or fanning, and a "pursuit display" where the male hunches over low to the ground and follows a female. In some populations, courtship feeding has been observed where a male presents a female with crayfish or crabs. Males also give courtship calls during any display except a pursuit display. Pairs uphold a monogamous relationship throughout the breeding season, but birds become solitary during the non-breeding periods. Pair fidelity from year to year is currently unknown. (Meanley, 1957; Poole, et al., 2005)

The nesting season of Rallus elegans begins in early March and lasts until early September with the peak of activity occurring between April 15 and July 1. Nests are a platform of vegetation with a depression in the center, a canopy of nearby vegetation, and occasionally a ramp. After copulation, the female lays one egg per day into the nest. This is done until a clutch of 6 to 14 eggs is reached. The incubation period lasts an average of 22 days. Each of the young are precocial, meaning they are capable of following the mother around shortly after birth. The young's first flight occurs approximately 63 days after birth. ("King Rail, Life History", 2011; Poole, et al., 2005)

Both parents exhibit parental care for the young, however the female generally is present more often than the male. Rallus elegans males are aggressive defenders of their territory and will chase out other Rallus elegans males, as well as males of other rail species. Males are also the primary participants in nest construction. Both parents take turns incubating the clutch. Once the young are born, both parents still care for the young, but the female is present more often. Hatchling R. elegans are precocial at hatching, and quickly leave the nest to follow their parents and learn how to care for themselves. The young are fed by both parents from 1 to 3 weeks of age. During this time, the young learn how to gather food from watching their parents and are capable of foraging on their own at 4 to 6 weeks old. Parents remain with their brood until they are at least 30 days old. ("King Rail", 2001; ; Poole, et al., 2005)

Rallus elegans typically lives 5 to 9 years in the wild. Limits to the lifespan of R. elegans include predation, farming practices, wetland destruction and impacts from vehicles. ("King Rail, Life History", 2011)

Rallus elegans is a secretive marsh bird, thus little is known regarding behavior. It is a largely migratory species although some southern populations remain in the same location year-round. Rallus elegans is nearly completely diurnal, but many nocturnal behaviors have been reported during the breeding season.

Little is known about social behaviors in Rallus elegans. Pairs form during the breeding season, and males are highly territorial at this time. Males actively chase out males of the same, or even different, species. Outside of the breeding season, it is largely thought to be solitary. Rallus elegans is also thought to be a solitary nocturnal migrant. This is largely due to its territorial nature. Flight for R. elegans is usually short and low to the ground, with their feet skimming the tops of vegetation. During the breeding season R. elegans is typically found in pairs and later found with their broods trailing in a line behind the male and female. ("King Rail", 2001; Darrah and Krementz, 2009; Poole, et al., 2005)

Exact territory size is currently unknown, but one study found a row of 3 nests located 298 ft and 166 ft from the next. (Meanley, 1957)

Rallus elegans is a very visual and acoustic communicator. This rail relies heavily on acoustic communication to communicate with mates and other rails. Rallus elegans gives a wide variety of calls although due to it's secretive nature and dense habitat, associated behaviors are poorly understood. Most vocalizations are dry, clicking sounds mnemonically described as 'kik-kik-kik' or a rolling 'chur-ur-ur'. Amount of vocalizations increases during the breeding season, suggesting there is an important vocal element to courtship. Rallus elegans uses postures and tail movements to communicate mating interest or aggression. When pursuing a mate, male R. elegans may crouch low to the ground, flare the tail feathers or hold the tail vertically. Males also crouch to ward off territory intruders and will eventually aerially attack a persistent threat. Like most bird species, R. elegans perceives it's environment through visual, auditory, tactile, and chemical stimuli. ("King Rail, Life History", 2011; ; Poole, et al., 2005)

Rallus elegans is considered an omnivore, but mainly feeds on crustaceans, fish and insects. Occasionally it will feed on plants or seeds. Water is very important to R. elegans, because even if its food has come from land it will dunk it in water before consuming it. The bill and legs of R. elegans are specialized for probing and foraging in water. Common prey items include crayfish, red-jointed fiddler crabs, clams, perch, and aquatic beetles. ("King Rail, Life History", 2011; Poole, et al., 2005)

Rallus elegans is mostly preyed upon during the egg and juvenile stages of life. Predators of eggs and young include red fox, raccoons, mink, feral cats, and coyotes. Some adults are caught by predators such as great horned owls, northern harriers, and alligators. Rallus elegans coloration allows for it to be well camouflaged from predators. It also can puff up and flutter around in the brush to try and scare off potential predators. ("King Rail", 2001; "King Rail, Life History", 2011; Poole, et al., 2005)

Rallus elegans serves as both predator and prey in marsh ecosystems. Due to its heavy reliance on crayfish, R. elegans likely has a significant effect on local populations. (Poole, et al., 2005)

Rallus elegans is considered a game bird in much of the southern United States from Texas to Delaware. Though few rails are harvested, bag limits in some states are up to 15 per day. (Darrah and Krementz, 2009; Poole, et al., 2005)

There are no known negative effects of Rallus elegans on humans.

There are no known negative effects of king rails on humans.

Rallus elegans is a species of concern according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In many individual states, especially in the northern range such as the states of Michigan and Minnesota, R. elegans is listed as endangered. This is primarily due to human-induced habitat destruction, as wetlands are rapidly shrinking or disappearing across their range. (Poole, et al., 2005)