Rallidae

The Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata), formerly known as the Common Moorhen, now “split” or separated from that Eurasian species (C. chloropus). Unlike the somewhat similar American Coot (Fulica americana), this bird doesn’t have lobbed toes. Look at the long toes on this Sora Rail (Porzana carolina). All the better for walking through oozy marshes.We saw several Sora in a couple of different marshes. They are the least-elusive of the marsh rails: a few years ago, one was even in Prospect Park, showing itself regularly. (Clapper Rails, meanwhile, are relatively common in our parts, or at least their edges like Marine Park, but more likely to be heard than seen. But one was seen in Prospect Park yesterday.)Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), most readily distinguished from the Sora by its longer red bill, which you can even see in this near-silhouette. Not unknown in Prospect, but I’ve never seen one anywhere until this one at Estero Llano Grande.

“Thin as a rail.” I’ve yet to see the holy grails of our rails: the King, the Yellow, and the tiny Black.