Virginia Rail - Ross Feldner

This famously secretive bird is about the size of a robin, and spends most of its time hidden in dense march vegetation. You may get a clue to its location from its loud grunting noise.

Virginia Rails are well adapted to move through thick almost impenetrable habitat with their long toes, flexible back bone and laterally compressed body.

Virginia Rails have special forehead feathers that are adapted to the wear and tear of sharp marsh plants and pushing through extremely dense vegetation.

They live in freshwater and brackish marshes and sometimes salt marshes in winter where they probe the mud or shallow water with their bill in search of insects and aquatic invertebrates such as dragonflies, snails, crayfish, beetles and worms. They will also eat frogs, fish and some small snakes.

Virginia Rails start their courtship romance in May. The male raises his wings and runs back and forth next to the female after which both sexes bow and the male feeds the female.

The Virginia rail often runs to escape predators, instead of flying. When it does fly, it is usually short distances or for migration. It can also swim and dive using its wings to propel itself.