Rails and Coots (8)

Photo: Reinier Munguia

King Rail *
A secretive, uncommon resident of marshes and cattails, usually identified by call. A July 2004 photograph at the Circle B-Bar Reserve was the first summer photographic record. The LCBC high count of 20 was in 1967.

Photo: R Munguia

Clapper Rail

Clappers are usually restricted to salt or brackish waters but we have one record from Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland in January, 2008 backed up with a valid photo.

Photo: Herman
Virginia Rail
Another secretive, uncommon winter resident of marshes and cattails which must usually be identified by call. It is much smaller than the similar King Rail. The LCBC high count of 23 was in 1979.

Photo: Herman

Sora
A fairly common winter resident, September- April, of marshes and cattails that, also, must be identified by call. Loud noises can induce them to respond with a characteristic “eek”. In October 1997, 17 were heard. The LCBC high count of 185 was in 1968.

Black Rail*
A rare and extremely hard bird to see. Our first record was from a marsh in extreme southeastern Polk County in the summer of 2000. At least one bird was seen and several were calling. The phosphate mines produced one calling individual on July 10, 2005.

Photo: C L Geanangel

Purple Gallinule *
An uncommon permanent resident of lakes which become fairly tame in the presence of people. A dozen or so can be found on some urban lakes. Polk County is the center of the Florida population. The LCBC high count of 164 was in 2005 and 138 in 1997.

Common Moorhen *
An abundant permanent resident of most lakes and PPM. At times hundreds can be found on one large lake, with a high count 1,100 in October 1999. The LCBC high count of 1,182 was in 1992.

American Coot *
An abundant winter resident of lakes and pits which breeds in small numbers in the summer. At times 30 thousands and up can be found on a single large lake. The high count was 34,600 in February 1996. The LWCBC high count of 19,600 was in 1996; LCBC 9,777 in 1977.

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