What is a Clapper Rail?

The clapper rail, Rallus longirostris, is a marsh bird and one of the largest of the rail species. Clapper rails range from 14-16 inches (36-41 cm) in length, have a wingspan of about 19-21 inches (48-53 cm) and weigh an average of 11.4 ounces (323 g). The clapper rail is gray-brown to olive-brown in color, with either a cream or reddish breast. Male and female clapper rails are similar in both size and color. In appearance, clapper rails are set apart by their resemblance to chickens as well as by having long toes that are not webbed and lengthy bills that curve slightly downward.

Geographically, the clapper rail is widely distributed. In North America, it ranges along the Atlantic, Gulf and California coasts. This bird is also found along the coasts of the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Although the population of the species is basically stable, the California clapper rail, Rallus longirostris obsoletus, has dwindled in numbers mainly because of habitat destruction, and it is on the United States' Endangered Species List. This species of clapper rail was heavily hunted during the California Gold Rush because it was thought to be a culinary delicacy, and its numbers have never fully recovered.

The clapper rail is mainly a saltwater bird, and its preferred habitat is coastal saltwater marshes and mangrove swamps. A few of the subspecies of this bird, such as the Yuma clapper rail, are freshwater birds. They can be found along rivers in freshwater marshes. It is difficult to see clapper rails because they are secretive birds that prefer to run and don’t fly very often. Most frequently, they can be seen when the tide is high as they dart among the protective vegetation of the marsh to feed.

Clapper rails feed while walking in shallow water or by scavenging and foraging on the ground. They prefer to eat crustaceans, such as crayfish or small crabs. These birds are opportunistic feeders, though, and they also will eat insects, seeds, bird eggs and small fish or mice if they come across them.

Breeding season runs from about late spring to early summer. Clapper rails are monogamous, and the pairs are solitary nesters. Nests are built mainly by the males from dry marsh vegetation and have a domed shape that allows the nest to float with the rising or falling tide. Females generally lay nine to 12 eggs, and both sexes incubate them. The eggs hatch in about 20 to 23 days.

A Clapper Rail is a medium-sized marsh bird known for its distinctive kek-kek-kek call, primarily found in saltwater marshes along the coasts of the United States. It has a long bill, a short tail, and a grayish-brown body that provides excellent camouflage in its reedy habitat, aiding in its elusive nature.

Clapper Rails are typically found in coastal saltwater marshes and mangrove swamps. They are native to the Americas, with their range extending from the eastern United States down to Central America and the Caribbean. They prefer habitats with dense vegetation that offers protection and nesting opportunities.

Clapper Rails have a varied diet that includes crustaceans, insects, small fish, and plant matter. They forage by using their long bills to probe into the mud and vegetation. Their diet reflects the rich biodiversity of the marsh ecosystems where they live, and they play a role in controlling insect populations.

Clapper Rails are ground-nesters, laying their eggs in well-concealed nests among dense marsh vegetation. They typically have one to three broods per year, with each brood consisting of 5-10 eggs. Both parents are involved in incubation and rearing the young, which are precocial and able to leave the nest soon after hatching.

Clapper Rails are not currently listed as endangered on a global scale, but their populations are subject to local threats such as habitat loss and pollution. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring marshland habitats to ensure the survival of these birds. In some regions, they are considered species of concern due to declining numbers.

The main threats to Clapper Rails include habitat destruction due to urban development, pollution, and climate change. Rising sea levels and increased storm frequency can degrade the salt marshes they depend on. Additionally, they are vulnerable to predation by introduced species and human disturbance during the breeding season.