Water Rail Latest News
An uncommon water rail (Rallus aquaticus) bird was recently sighted at TS Chanakya wetlands, off Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
About Water Rail
- It is a bird of the rail family Rallidae.
- Scientific Name: Rallus aquaticus
Water Rail Habitat and Distribution
- It breeds in well-vegetated wetlands across Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
- Northern and eastern populations are migratory, but this species is a permanent resident in the warmer parts of its breeding range.
- In the Indian subcontinent, the Water Rail is a summer visitor to Kashmir and winters in eastern Pakistan and the northwestern plains of India. It wanders into western Uttarakhand and Rajasthan.
Water Rail Features
- The adult is 23–28 cm long and, like other rails, has a body that is flattened laterally, allowing easier passage through the reed beds it inhabits.
- It has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, black barring on the flanks, long toes, a short tail, and a long reddish bill.
- Known for its elusive nature, the water rail often remains motionless when threatened, opting to run for cover rather than fly.
Water Rail Conservation Status
It is classified as ‘Least Concern‘ under the IUCN Red List.
News: TOI
Last updated on Nov, 2026
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Water Rail FAQs
Q1. What is the Water Rail?+
Q2. In which regions is the Water Rail found?+
Q3. What is the typical colouration of the Water Rail?+
Q4. What is the conservation status of the Water Rail according to the IUCN Red List?+
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