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Birds by name

Water rail

Conservation status: Green

Smaller and distinctly slimmer than the moorhen, the water rail is a fairly common but highly secretive inhabitant of freshwater wetlands. It has chestnut-brown and black upperparts, grey face and underparts and black-and-white barred flanks, and a long red bill. Difficult to see in the breeding season, it is relatively easier to find in winter, when it is also more numerous and widespread. Although usually secretive they can become confiding but are still far more often heard than seen.

Overview

Latin name

Rallus aquaticus

Family

Rails (Rallidae)

Where to see them

Widely but thinly distributed as breeding birds across the UK, but absent from upland areas. Most abundant in Eastern England and suitable habitat along the south coast.

When to see them

All year round, although numbers are higher in winter when many birds arrive from continental Europe.

What they eat

Omnivorous - mainly small fish, snails and insects.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-700-1,400 pairs--

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Water rail

Water rail
  • Size: between blackbird-pigeon
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, blue, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff, orange, red/pink
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: brown, pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: on ground, wagging or flicking tail, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs, eats fruit

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