California Clapper Rail
Fun Facts

• The clapper rail is also known as the marsh clapper and marsh hen.

• The saying "thin as a rail" comes from the bird's lean body, a characteristic that enables it to slip easily through marsh grass when walking or trying to escape predators.

• Clapper rails produce an astounding variety of calls, from a he-e-eh-heh-heh-heh to chack-chack-chack. The call is loud and clattering in a series of 20 to 25 notes, lowering in pitch and increasing in tempo.

• Female California clapper rails have been heard making a "purr" call.

• California clapper rails prefer to run or walk through their marsh habitat. When they do take to the air, they are considered weak flyers and generally settle down shortly after taking flight.

Back to Main Page