Rufous-necked Wood Rail

Overview

The rufous-necked wood rail (Aramides axillaris) is a species of bird in the rail, crake, and coot family Rallidae. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• 29 to 33 cm in length with a long, stout, yellow-green bill and red legs and feet.
• Adults feature a rufous brown head, neck, and breast, contrasting with a gray nape and upper back.
• Underparts include a white throat, grayish brown belly, and black rump, tail, and flanks.
• Juveniles appear duller overall with buffy brown or dirty white faces and upper necks.

Habitat

Found in Mexico, Central America, seven mainland South American countries, and Trinidad, generally along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. While long thought to be primarily a coastal species reliant on mangrove forest, it is increasingly observed in inland deciduous, humid, and montane forests as high as 1,400 m.

Diet

The species generally forages at morning and evening twilight, often moving from cover onto open mudflats and stream banks. Its primary prey consists of crabs, though it also consumes other aquatic invertebrates.

Did you know?

Although primarily a coastal bird, a vagrant individual spent much of July 2013 at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, drawing many bird enthusiasts to the state.