| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 27cm - 29cm |
| Wingspan: | 42cm |
| Weight: | 110g - 140g |
| Average Lifespan: | est. 5-8 years |
From grunts and groans, to 'purring' and 'piglet squealing', the water rail is more often heard than it is seen! This shy bird lives in reedbeds and wetlands, hiding among the vegetation.
About
A small relative of the moorhen and coot and about the same size as a redshank, the water rail lives in reedbeds and freshwater wetlands where it feeds on invertebrates and small fish. Secretive and rarely seen, Water rails are more often heard calling; making a sound like a piglet squealing, they are unmistakeable. Around 1,100 pairs nest in in the UK.
How to identify
The water rail has a grey body, with black and brown streaked upperparts and black and white barring on the flanks. It has a long, red bill and pale pink legs.
Did you know?
Water rails are not often seen in flight as they prefer to migrate under the cover of darkness.