About Rallus elegans Audubon, 1834
This species, Rallus elegans Audubon, 1834, has several distinct physical features. Adults have a long, slightly downward-curved bill, brown backs, rusty-brown faces and breasts, and a dark brown cap. They also have a white throat, light belly, and barred flanks. Their undertail coverts are white, and males display these coverts during courtship. Immature birds are down-covered, with light brown heads and darker brown backs and wings. The species' call is a low repeated grunt, transcribed as kek-kek-kek. This bird breeds in marshes across eastern North America. Populations along the southeastern coasts of the United States are permanent residents. Other members of the species migrate to the southern United States and Mexico; in Canada, the species is found in southern Ontario. After nesting, adult king rails undergo a complete molt and become flightless for almost a month. Unlike its smaller, nocturnal relatives, this bird is diurnal.
