Water Rail, 4/17/2012

At the beginning of April, I heard that Water Rails and Ruddy-breasted Crakes appeared in Guizikeng Big Gutter area of Taipei City. Afraid of the birds migrating back to their breeding place, I went to the guttern area on April 17 and found they were still there. Someone was feeding them, so it's kind of easy shot.

According to internet information I gather, Water Rails are either rare winter migratory birds, passage migrants or local birds in Taiwan. Local farmers said they regularly come at about the same period every year, and leave on late April every year.

Here I've something to say. Please don't step on the farm fields or ruin any crops, and don't intercept the trench water which is used for irrigation and is critical to the living of the farmers. I know no one will be doing these on purpose, but still I would like to remind you.


Photographed on 4/17/2012, at Guizikeng Big Gutter area, Taipei City.



Photographed on 4/17/2012, at Guizikeng Big Gutter area, Taipei City.



Photographed on 4/17/2012, at Guizikeng Big Gutter area, Taipei City.



Photographed on 4/17/2012, at Guizikeng Big Gutter area, Taipei City.



Photographed on 4/17/2012, at Guizikeng Big Gutter area, Taipei City.



Photographed on 4/17/2012, at Guizikeng Big Gutter area, Taipei City.



Photographed on 4/17/2012, at Guizikeng Big Gutter area, Taipei City.



Video recorded on 4/17/2012, at Guizikeng Big Gutter area, Taipei City.

Chinese name:	秧雞
English name:	Water Rail
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Rallus aquaticus
Order:	Gruiformes
Family:	Rallidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Winter migratory bird or passage migrant in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Rare in Taiwan
Foods:	Fishes, seeds, insects
Habitat:	Swamps, ponds, lakes, wet farm fields
Altitude:	Low altitude
Behavior:	Appear alone
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 23 cm long. Upper body is mainly yellowish brown with dark brown stripes. Head top is full of dark brown stripes. Face is gray. Lower body(Neck, breast and belly) are mainly gray with yellowish brown feathers. Eyeline is dark brown. Flank is yellowish brown with dark brown and white stripes. Upper bill is black with some orange color. Lower bill is orange with light black tip. There are no webs between toes.
Breeding places:	Northeast China, north of the Yellow River and Northwest China.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in Fukien, Guangdong and Taiwan
Time photographed:	4/17/2012
Location found:	Beitou District, Taipei City
Sources:	Internet
Notes: