Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus
Its laterally compressed body lets the water rail slip nimbly through dense reeds, so it is heard far more often than seen. Its squealing calls recall a piglet and are often the only sign of its presence.
- Group
- Waders & Waterbirds
- Photos
- 1
- Taken
- 2024
Profile: Water Rail
- Family
- Rails (Rallidae)
- Size
- approx. 23–28 cm
- Wingspan
- approx. 38–45 cm
- Weight
- approx. 90–190 g
- Habitat
- Dense reedbeds and sedge beds along lakes, ponds, ditches and in marshes.
- Diet
- Omnivore: in summer mainly insects and their larvae, worms, spiders, snails and small crustaceans, occasionally small fish, frogs or carrion; towards winter also berries and plant parts.
- When to see
- In Central Europe mostly resident or wandering and present year-round; birds from regions with harsh winters move to southern and western Europe. In winter it is more likely to leave cover.
Learn more: Wikipedia · NABU (German)