Montana Field Guide

The Yellow Rail is a secretive, often overlooked bird as it prefers to run and hide instead of flying when flushed. The smallest rail in Montana, the Yellow Rail measures 7.25 inches in length, has a wingspan of 11 inches, and weighs up to 55 grams. The sexes are similar in plumage; generally yellow-buff, with a dark brownish-black crown and buffy-brown back streaked with deep brown and black. The feathers of the lower back, scapulars, and tertials have at least 2 distinctive white bars. The chin and upper throat are light- to nearly-white, and the legs are brownish to greenish (Bookhout 1995, Sibley 2000). Though similar in appearance, males are generally larger than females and have an entirely yellow bill during the breeding season, which returns to the olive-green of the female in the fall (Bookhout 1995). The iris appears dark but is yellowish-brown to reddish in the adults (Bookhout 1995). The chicks have a pink bill and are black in color. The bill fades and eventually becomes black in its juvenile stage. The juveniles are of a similar appearance to their parents, but are more speckled overall and the dark patterning on the head is less distinct. The bill is olive-green (Sibley 2000).

The vocalization of the species, by both sexes, is described as a series of clicking noises, usually in a 5-note pattern, "click-click-click-click-click", each click lasting for 0.1 second and spaced 0.1 to 0.25 second apart (Bookhout 1995). Other calls may include a ten note descending cackle, with three or four notes that sound like distant knocking on a door, soft croaking, or quiet wheezing or clucking notes (Sibley 2000). Although calling usually occurs during the night, with the males sometimes calling incessantly, diurnal activity has also been reported (Bookhout 1995). Young chicks and juveniles give various sounds described as "wees" and "peeps" (Savaloja 1981).

This species of rail is distinguishable from the Sora by its smaller size, more yellow-buff to buff appearance, the striped yellow and black upper parts with small white crossbars and a short bill. The primaries and secondaries are primarily white, which are apparent when the bird is flushed, and are a distinctive feature of this species (Bookhout 1995). The young are darker and are more obviously specked overall than the juvenile Sora (Sibley 2000).

Yellow Rails probably occur as migrants on their way to and from Canada and wintering areas (California or the Gulf Coast). The earliest observation of the species in the state has been reported for May, with observations also for June, July, and August (Wright 1997, Montana Bird Distribution 2003). Fall migration can occur as early as mid-August and continues to late October (Montana Bird Distribution 2003, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 2003).

Breeding habitat selection is similar to that of other locations, and consists of wet sedge (Carex spp.) meadows and other wetlands containing grasses, rushes (Juncus spp.) and bulrushes (Scirpus spp) (Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 2003). Presence of the Yellow Rail is most commonly dictated by water depth, specifically one that fluctuates throughout the breeding season, i.e. wet in the early part of the breeding season and relatively dry (no standing water) by July or September (Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 2003).

Reported foods of the Yellow Rail diet include small snails, insects, seeds, grasses, and clover leaves (Terres 1980). Vegetation and invertebrates are the most common foods consumed. Most of the feeding activity takes place during the daytime, when birds have been seen with their heads 1.5 inches under the water while searching for food (Savaloja 1981). In Minnesota rails feed on the snail Succinea retusa (Savaloja 1981). Adults will feed on snails and small invertebrates found in dry grass, and seeds, grasses, and clover leaves found in sedge marshes. During rearing, the snails are an important food resource for the young.

Male territories are an average of 7.8 hectares (19 acres), and are established within one week of their arrival (Bookhout and Stenzel 1987). Territories may encompass multiple female activity areas. The activity areas used by females average 1.2 hectares (3 acres) during pre-incubation, decreasing to 0.3 hectare (0.7 acres) during incubation (Bookhout and Stenzel 1987). Adult birds are flightless for several weeks during molting (mid- to late August) (Savaloja 1981).

Limited information on breeding habits of the Yellow Rail is known for Montana. Breeding is suspected in the Westby area and at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, though no nests or young have been observed (Montana Bird Distribution 2003). Appropriate habitat, sedge marsh or wet meadow, exists at both of these locations.

Although no management activities are in place specifically addressing the Yellow Rail in Montana, water level manipulation for other nesting species occurs at most locations where rails are found. Conscious management of water levels for waterfowl could assist in maintaining or enhancing nesting habitat for the Yellow Rail. Outside of the national wildlife refuges, no activities are known that consider conservation of Yellow Rails. Yellow Rails are a Species of Management Concern in Region 6 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1995).