Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Order: Gruiformes. Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small- to medium-sized birds that 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 that are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. In South Carolina, nine species have been recorded as well as one hypothetical.
- Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
- Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis
- Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostris
- King Rail, Rallus elegans
- Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola
- Sora, Porzana carolina
- Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica
- Common Gallinule, Gallinula galeata
- American Coot, Fulica americana
- Caribbean Coot, Fulica caribaea (H)
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of South Carolina