# Rallus

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Genus of birds

Rallus Water rail Rallus aquaticus Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae Genus: Rallus Linnaeus, 1758 Type species Rallus aquaticus[1] Linnaeus, 1758 Species See list Synonyms Epirallus Miller, 1942

[Ridgway's rail](/source/Ridgway's_rail) (*Rallus obsoletus*)

***Rallus*** is a [genus](/source/Genus) of [wetland](/source/Wetland) birds of the [rail family](/source/Rallidae). Sometimes, the genera *[Lewinia](/source/Lewinia)* and *[Gallirallus](/source/Gallirallus)* are included in it. Six of the species are found in the [Americas](/source/Americas), and the three species found in [Eurasia](/source/Eurasia), [Africa](/source/Africa) and [Madagascar](/source/Madagascar) are very closely related to each other, suggesting they are descended from a single invasion of a New World ancestor.[2]

These are slim, long-billed rails with slender legs. Their laterally flattened bodies are an adaptation to life in wet reedbeds and [marshes](/source/Marsh), enabling them to slip easily through the dense semi-aquatic vegetation. Typically these birds have streaked brown upperparts, blue-grey on the face or breast, and barred flanks. Only the [African rail](/source/African_rail) has a plain back, and the [plain-flanked rail](/source/Plain-flanked_rail) lacks any blue-grey in its plumage and has no flank bars.[2]

Three endemic [South American](/source/South_America) species are endangered by habitat loss, and the [Madagascar rail](/source/Madagascar_rail) is becoming rare.

## Taxonomy

The genus *Rallus* was erected in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist [Carl Linnaeus](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) in the [tenth edition](/source/10th_edition_of_Systema_Naturae) of his *[Systema Naturae](/source/Systema_Naturae)*.[3] The [type species](/source/Type_species) was subsequently designated as the [water rail](/source/Water_rail) (*Rallus aquaticus*).[4] The genus name *Rallus* comes from the pre-binomial Latin name *Rallus aquaticus* for the water rail used by English ornithologist [Francis Willughby](/source/Francis_Willughby) in 1676,[5] and by the English naturalist [Eleazar Albin](/source/Eleazar_Albin) in 1731.[6] The precise etymology of the word *Rallus* is uncertain.[7]

### Species

The genus contains 14 extant species:[8]

Image Common name Scientific name Distribution Ecuadorian rail Rallus aequatorialis southwestern Colombia to southwestern Peru Austral rail Rallus antarcticus Argentina and Chile Water rail Rallus aquaticus Europe, Asia and North Africa African rail Rallus caerulescens from Ethiopia to South Africa Clapper rail Rallus crepitans eastern U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, eastern Mexico, some Caribbean islands, and south through eastern Central America King rail Rallus elegans southern United States and Mexico; in Canada, they are found in southern Ontario Brown-cheeked rail Rallus indicus northern Mongolia, eastern Siberia, northeast China, Korea and northern Japan. Virginia rail Rallus limicola southern United States and Central America Mangrove rail Rallus longirostris northeast Colombia, northwest Venezuela, Brazil, Trinidad Madagascar rail Rallus madagascariensis Madagascar Ridgway's rail Rallus obsoletus southeastern California and southern Arizona, to northwestern Mexico Bogotá rail Rallus semiplumbeus Colombia Aztec rail Rallus tenuirostris Mexico Plain-flanked rail Rallus wetmorei Venezuela

### Fossil record

Life restoration of the five now-extinct species from the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira

- *Rallus* sp. (Sajóvölgyi Middle Miocene of Mátraszõlõs, Hungary)[9]

- *Rallus* sp. (Rexroad Late Pliocene of Saw Rock Canyon, USA)

- *Rallus adolfocaesaris* [Porto Santo rail](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Porto_Santo_rail&action=edit&redlink=1) ([prehistoric](/source/Late_Quaternary_prehistoric_birds) of Madeira)

- *Rallus auffenbergi* (Middle Pleistocene of SE North America) – formerly *Porzana*

- *Rallus carvaoensis* [São Miguel rail](/source/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_rail) ([prehistoric](/source/Late_Quaternary_prehistoric_birds) of São Miguel Island in the Azores)

- *Rallus cyanocavi* (Late Pleistocene of the Bahamas)

- *Rallus eivissensis,* [Ibiza rail](/source/Ibiza_rail) ([prehistoric](/source/Late_Quaternary_prehistoric_birds))

- *Rallus ibycus* (Shore Hills Late Pleistocene of Bermuda, W Atlantic)

- *Rallus lacustris* (Late Pliocene of C North America)

- *Rallus lowei* [Madeira rail](/source/Madeira_rail) ([prehistoric](/source/Late_Quaternary_prehistoric_birds) of Madeira)

- *Rallus montivagorum* [Pico rail](/source/Pico_rail) ([prehistoric](/source/Late_Quaternary_prehistoric_birds) of Pico Island in the Azores)

- *Rallus nanus* [São Jorge rail](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Jorge_rail&action=edit&redlink=1) ([prehistoric](/source/Late_Quaternary_prehistoric_birds) of São Jorge Island in the Azores) - erroneously previously described as *Rallus minutus*, which is a junior homonym[10]

- *Rallus natator* (Pleistocene of San Josecito Cavern, Mexico) – formerly *Epirallus*

- *Rallus phillipsi* (Late Pliocene of Wickieup, USA)

- *Rallus prenticei* (Late Pliocene of C North America)

- *Rallus recessus* (St Georges Soil Late Pleistocene of Bermuda, W Atlantic)

- *Rallus richmondi* – includes *R. dubius*

### Formerly in *Rallus*

- *"R." arenarius* – now *[Quercyrallus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quercyrallus&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- *"R." beaumontii*, *"R." dispar* – now *[Pararallus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pararallus&action=edit&redlink=1)* or *[Palaeoaramides](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palaeoaramides&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- *"R." christyi, "R." eximius, "R." minor* – now *Palaeoaramides*

- *"R." major* – now *[Miorallus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miorallus&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- *"R." porzanoides* – now *[Paraortygometra](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paraortygometra&action=edit&redlink=1)*

*"R." sumiderensis* apparently refers to prehistoric remains of the [Zapata rail](/source/Zapata_rail) (*Cyanolimnas cerverai*).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HM4_1-0)** ["Rallidae"](https://www.aviansystematics.org/4th-edition-checklist?viewfamilies=42). *aviansystematics.org*. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-27.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-t&vp1998_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-t&vp1998_2-1) Taylor & van Perlo (1998)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Linnaeus, Carl](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) (1758). [*Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis*](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/727060) (in Latin). Vol. 1 (10th ed.). Holmiae:Laurentii Salvii. p. 153.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: publisher location ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_publisher_location))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Peters, James Lee](/source/James_L._Peters), ed. (1934). [*Check-list of Birds of the World*](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/14482970). Vol. 2. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 157.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Willughby, Francis](/source/Francis_Willughby) (1676). [*Ornithologiae libri tres*](https://gdz.sub.uni-goettingen.de/id/PPN367579030?tify={%22pages%22:%5b249%5d}) (in Latin). London: John Martyn. p. 234.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Albin, Eleazar](/source/Eleazar_Albin); [Derham, William](/source/William_Derham) (1731). [*A Natural History of Birds : Illustrated with a Hundred and One Copper Plates, Curiously Engraven from the Life*](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41130459). Vol. 1. London: Printed for the author and sold by William Innys. p. 73.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Jobling, J.A. (2019). del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). ["*Rallus*"](https://www.hbw.com/dictionary/definition/rallus). *Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive: Key to Scientific Names in Ornithology*. Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 18 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ioc_8-0)** [Gill, Frank](/source/Frank_Gill_(ornithologist)); Donsker, David, eds. (2019). ["Flufftails, finfoots, rails, trumpeters, cranes, limpkin"](https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/flufftails/). *World Bird List Version 9.2*. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 8 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Gál *et al.* (1998–1999)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Alcover, Josep Antoni; Pieper, Harald; Pereira, Fernando; Rando, Juan Carlos (2016-03-01). "Rallus nanus nomen novum: a replacement name for Rallus minutus Alcover et al. 2015". *Zootaxa*. **4085** (1): 141–142. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.11646/zootaxa.4085.1.8](https://doi.org/10.11646%2Fzootaxa.4085.1.8). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1175-5334](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1175-5334). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [27394294](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27394294).

## References

- Gál, Erika; Hír, János; Kessler, Eugén & Kókay, József (1998–99): Középsõ-miocén õsmaradványok, a Mátraszõlõs, Rákóczi-kápolna alatti útbevágásból. I. A Mátraszõlõs 1. lelõhely [Middle Miocene fossils from the sections at the Rákóczi chapel at Mátraszőlős. Locality Mátraszõlõs I.]. *Folia Historico Naturalia Musei Matraensis* **23**: 33–78. [Hungarian with English abstract] [PDF fulltext](https://web.archive.org/web/20110721111701/http://www.matramuzeum.hu/Personal/folia/23/03MATSZOLOS.PDF)

- Taylor, P. Barry & van Perlo, Ber (1998): *Rails : a guide to the rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots of the world*. Yale University Press, New Haven. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-300-07758-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-300-07758-0)

## External links

- Media related to [*Rallus*](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rallus) at Wikimedia Commons

- Data related to [*Rallus*](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Rallus) at Wikispecies

v t e Birds (class: Aves) Outline Anatomy Beak Brain Crop milk Dactyly Eggs Feathers Flight Preen gland Plumage Vision Behaviour Singing Intelligence Migration Foraging Sexual selection Lek mating Seabird breeding Incubation Brood parasites Nesting Hybrids Colony Evolution Origin of birds Theropoda dinosaurs Origin of flight Evolution of birds Feathered dinosaurs Darwin's finches Seabirds Fossil birds Archaeopteryx Omnivoropterygiformes Jeholornithidae Confuciusornithiformes Enantiornithes Chaoyangiformes Patagopterygiformes Ambiortiformes Songlingornithiformes Hongshanornithidae Gansuiformes Ichthyornithiformes Hesperornithes Lithornithiformes Dinornithiformes Aepyornithiformes Gastornithiformes Human interaction Ringing Ornithology Ornithomancy Bird collections Birdwatching big year Bird feeding Conservation Aviculture Waterfowl hunting Cockfighting Pigeon racing Falconry Pheasantry Imping Egg collecting Lists Families and orders Genera Glossary of bird terms List by population Lists by region Extinct species since 1500 Late Quaternary prehistoric birds Notable birds individuals fictional Neornithes Palaeognathae Struthioniformes (ostriches) Rheiformes (rheas) Tinamiformes (tinamous) Apterygiformes (kiwis) Casuariiformes (emus and cassowaries) Neognathae Galloanserae(fowls) Anseriformes (waterfowls) Anatidae (ducks) Anatinae Aythyini Mergini Oxyurini Anserinae swans true geese Dendrocygninae Stictonettinae Tadorninae Anhimidae Anhima Chauna Anseranatidae Anseranas Galliformes (landfowls) Cracidae Cracinae Oreophasinae Penelopinae Megapodidae Aepypodius Alectura Eulipoa Leipoa Macrocephalon Megapodius Talegalla Numididae Acryllium Agelastes Guttera Numida Odontophoridae Callipepla Colinus Cyrtonyx Dactylortyx Dendrortyx Odontophorus Oreortyx Philortyx Rhynchortyx Phasianidae Meleagridinae (turkeys) Perdicinae Phasianinae (pheasants and relatives) Tetraoninae Neoaves Columbea Columbimorphae Columbiformes (doves and pigeons) Mesitornithiformes (mesites) Pterocliformes (sandgrouse) Mirandornithes Phoenicopteriformes (flamingos) Podicipediformes (grebes) Passerea Otidimorphae Cuculiformes (cuckoos) Musophagiformes (turacos) Otidiformes (bustards) Strisores Caprimulgiformes (nightjars and relatives) Steatornithiformes (oilbirds) Nyctibiiformes (potoos) Podargiformes (frogmouths) Aegotheliformes (owlet-nightjars) Apodiformes (swifts and hummingbirds) Opisthocomiformes Opisthocomiformes (hoatzins) Cursorimorphae Charadriiformes (gulls and relatives) Gruiformes (cranes and relatives) Phaethontimorphae Phaethontiformes (tropicbirds) Eurypygiformes (kagus and sunbitterns) Aequornithes Gaviiformes (loons or divers) Sphenisciformes (penguins) Procellariiformes (albatrosses and petrels) Ciconiiformes (storks) Suliformes (cormorants and relatives) Pelecaniformes (pelicans and relatives) Australaves Cariamiformes (seriemas and relatives) Falconiformes (falcons and relatives) Psittaciformes (parrots) Passeriformes (perching birds) Afroaves Accipitriformes (raptors) Strigiformes (owls) Coliiformes (mousebirds) Trogoniformes (trogons and quetzals) Leptosomiformes (cuckoo-rollers) Bucerotiformes (hornbills and hoopoes) Coraciiformes (kingfishers and rollers) Piciformes (woodpeckers and relatives) Category Commons Portal WikiProject

v t e Genera of Gruiformes Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Infraclass: Neognathae Clade: Neoaves Order: Gruiformes Gruiformes incertae sedis †Aminornis? †Bumbanipes †Bumbaniralla †Gnotornis? †Loncornis? †Ludiortyx †Megagallinula? †Orthocnemus †Messelornithidae? Itardiornis Messelornis Pellornis Walbeckornis †Songziidae Songzia Grui †Parvigruidae Alhuenia Parvigrus Rupelrallus Aramidae Aramus †Badistornis †Papulavis Psophiidae †Archaeopsophia Psophia Gruidae incertae sedis †Eobalearica? †Palaeogeranos? †"Probalearica"? †Protogrus Balearicinae †Aramornis Balearica †Eobalearica †Geranopsis Gruinae Antigone †Camusia Grus Leucogeranus †Palaeogrus †Patagogrus? †Pliogrus Ralli See below ↓ Ralli incertae sedis †Nesotrochis †Aptornithidae Aptornis Sarothruridae Mentocrex Rallicula Sarothrura Heliornithidae Heliopais Heliornis Podica Rallidae †Aletornis Aptenorallus †Australlus †Baselrallus †Belgirallus †Capellirallus †Creccoides †Eocrex †Euryonotus †Fulicaletornis Habroptila †Hovacrex †Ibidopsis †Latipons †Litorallus †Miofulica †Miorallus †Montirallus? †Nesophalaris †Palaeoaramides †Palaeorallus †Paraortygometra †Pararallus †Parvirallus †Pastushkinia †Priscaweka †Quercyrallus †Rallicrex †Rhenanorallus Rougetius †Vitirallus †Wanshuina †Youngornis Rallinae Anurolimnas †Aphanapteryx Aramidopsis Cabalus Canirallus Crecopsis Crex †Crexica †Diaphorapteryx Dryolimnas †Erythromachus Eulabeornis Gallirallus Gymnocrex Hypotaenidia Lewinia †Miohypotaenidia †Pleistorallus Rallus Gallinulinae Pardirallini Amaurolimnas Aramides Mustelirallus Pardirallus Gallinulini Fulica Gallinula Paragallinula Porphyriops Porzana Tribonyx Porphyrioninae Himantornithini Aenigmatolimnas Amaurornis Gallicrex Himantornis Megacrex Poliolimnas Laterallini Coturnicops Hapalocrex Laterallus Micropygia †Mundia Rufirallus Porphyrionini †Aphanocrex Porphyrio Zaporniini Rallina Zapornia

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Taxon identifiers Rallus Wikidata: Q220705 Wikispecies: Rallus BOLD: 3288 CoL: 76VZ Fauna Europaea: 96766 Fauna Europaea (new): 45b8b7fa-5779-4ff7-b74d-a6de23a30502 GBIF: 2474794 iNaturalist: 212 IRMNG: 1032211 ITIS: 176206 NBN: NBNSYS0000188684 NCBI: 54360 NZOR: 8598e7b9-26f9-4f74-8911-97576ff7b2d9 Paleobiology Database: 39537 Plazi: 923BB971-7FE7-9827-72D7-5F3898CD1495 WoRMS: 159014 ZooBank: D0ED3103-B8DE-4A44-8729-55E987F19F62

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rallus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rallus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rallus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.