- Comments:
King Rails are found in the eastern and southern portions of the Great Plains. They
usually occur in freshwater marshes with a mosaic of marsh vegetation and open water. They
feed on crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates, grasshoppers, small fish and aquatic plant
seeds. Like other rails, they migrate at night. King Rails are larger and browner overall
than Virginia Rails and always have brown cheek feathers. Clapper Rails are also similar,
but are smaller, have gray cheek feathers and lack the chestnut-colored upper wing coverts
found on King Rails. Apparent long-term population declines have led to the development of
a comprehensive conservation plan for the King Rail and listing as an endangered or
threatened species in several states and Canada.
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