|
|
Chestnut Rail
(Eulabeornis castaneoventris)
: "Chestnut-bellied Rail"
Size: 44-52 cm (male 52 cm)
Weight: 600-800 g
|
|
 |
Physical description |
|
Click here for a physical description
Chestnut Rails are large wetland birds. They are the largest of the
crakes and rails of Australia.
As the name suggests, their
plumage is predominantly
chestnut, while the head is grey, with a light-grey chin patch.
They have red irises and a long yellow-green bill. The legs are yellowish,
with thighs that are partly covered by chestnut feathers.
There are two distinct morphologies: birds in the Top End of the NT
have chestnut
morphology, with all-chestnut body
plumage.
Birds found alon the Kimberley coast in WA have
olive
morphology, with an olive-grey back.
|
 |
Taxonomy, classification |
|
See Chestnut
Rail at Wikipedia .
|
 |
Range, habitat, finding this species |
|
Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Chestnut Rail is available
HERE
.
Chestnut Rails populate parts of eastern Indonesia and Australia.
In Australia only Chestnut Rails of nominate race "castaneoventris"
is found, which is endemic to the continent. They occur only in the
tropical far North of the country. Their range extends along the North
coast of the Kimberley, WA, eastward of King Sound, around
the Top End of the NT to Arnhemland and western part of the
South coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, plus some offshore islands within that
range.
The behaviour of Chestnut Rails is not well-known. They have a
preference for mangroves,
but the photos below show that they can occasionally also be found
in riverine or
estuarine habitats.
|
 |
Sightings |
|
Click here for sighting information
B. Hensen reports spotting a Chestnut Rail, race "castaneoventris",
at Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, in March 2013.
P. Brown reports spotting a Chestnut Rail, race "castaneoventris",
at Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, in September 2019, and again in
November 2019.
M. Eaton also found Chestnut Rails, race "castaneoventris",
at Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, in July 2020.
|
 |
Photos |
|
Race "castaneoventris"
Chestnut morphology
 |
ADULT |
|
Lateral view of a Chestnut Rail in an
intertidal wetland
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, July 2020]
Lateral view of a Chestnut Rail on leaf litter
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, September 2019]
Lateral view of a Chestnut Rail on a rocky
river bank
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, March 2013]
Lateral view of a Chestnut Rail wading in shallow water
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, March 2013]
Chestnut Rail seen swimming, which is unusual
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, March 2013]
Near-dorsal view of a Chestnut Rail; this is one of the birds whose
calls were recorded
on 8 November 2019
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, November 2019]
 |
Call(s)/Song |
|
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own; are welcome.
More Chestnut Rail sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors.
The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.