Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. In Connecticut, nine species have been recorded.
- Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R)
- Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (R)
- Corn Crake (R)
- Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostris
- King Rail, Rallus elegans
- Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola
- Sora, Porzana carolina
- Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (R)
- Common Gallinule, Gallinula galeata
- American Coot, Fulica americana
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Connecticut