Posted by Ed Williams on April 3, 2018 at 12:27 AM
This seems to fit the Clapper Rail better than a Virginia rail according to my old Kaufman Bird Book. The only problem is that the Bolsa Chica Bird list does not list Clapper Rails. Maybe I am just not seeing it right. It was getting darkish at the time we came across this guy. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Posted by Ed Williams on April 3, 2018 at 12:29 AM
Another view, only ISO 3200 with my 60D and 100-400 ISLii at max zoom. Even with noise reduction it has lots of noise. Speaking of noise, this one made a lot of noise as it worked around the edges of the weeds.
Posted by Allen Brooks on April 3, 2018 at 9:30 AM
Hi Ed,
This may be a Ridgway's Rail. Frankly, I had never heard of this bird, but I took a picture of your photo and ran it through the Merlin Bird ID app and this is what it came up with. I've found this app to be at least 90% accurate. Amazing, really.
That absolutely fits Allen, thank you for letting me know. Now that you mention it, I recall Charles Bell posting a photo of one back in February, which was the first time I had heard of the Ridgeway's Rail. Thanks Allen.
Discussion
3 repliesThis may be a Ridgway's Rail. Frankly, I had never heard of this bird, but I took a picture of your photo and ran it through the Merlin Bird ID app and this is what it came up with. I've found this app to be at least 90% accurate. Amazing, really.