Overview
The light-footed Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus levipes), formerly the light-footed clapper rail (R. longirostris levipes) currently inhabits a handful of coastal marshes, lagoons and some freshwater habitats from southern Ventura County, California, southward to northern Baja California, Mexico. It was listed as endangered in 1969, and the ongoing threat to the species is habitat degradation associated with hydrology modifications, pollution, sea level rise and non-native invasive species.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
The light-footed Ridgway’s rail is a reclusive bird that is long-legged and long-toed.
Measurements
Length: Approximately 14 inches
The light-footed Ridgway’s rail has a slightly down-curved beak and a short, upturned tail. It has a cinnamon breast, grayish brown back and gray and white barred flanks.
Behavior
Rails rest throughout the middle of the day with activity peaking during the mornings and evenings. It can fly and swim, but prefers to walk or run.
Life Cycle
Breeding and nesting begins in February or March.
Food
The light-footed Ridgway's rail eat tadpoles, California killifish, California voles, beetles, snails, fiddler and hermit crabs, crayfish, isopods, other decapods, and some plants.
Timeline
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