Rail Identification

Soras, Virginia Rails, Clapper Rails, Black Rails and more make up this group of small chicken-like marsh birds.

I have to say, I find rails to be comical birds because it always strikes me that their legs appear to be placed too far back. A disproportionate amount of them seems to be up in front, and makes me fear they are about to fall right over onto their beaks. Yet, their strong, thick legs seem to keep them upright as they seek nourishment.

Get to Know Your Rails

	Virginia Rail \| *Rallus limicola* \| 8 �" - 9" We consider the Virginia Rail to be a real birder�s sighting, as most folks would simply pass by his habitat and never see him. He hides in the reeds and his marbled, black and brown plumes really blend into this environment. Read Article »
	Sora \| *Porzana carolina* \| 8" - 9 �" Just one of the benefits we enjoyed from today�s sudden, welcome burst of sunshine was that we could really see the Sora clearly, and the light illuminated his eyes so that they had a burgundy tone to them. The sturdy yellow beak and legs were also nicely visible. Read Article »

- Read the Latest News from the Birding Sonoma County Blog -

	Tomales Bay State Park Closure - One Upset Birder January 22, 2008, Point Reyes, CA Governor Schwarzenegger is planning to close our beautiful, sacred Tomales Bay State Park in Marin County along with 42 other desperately-needed and exuberantly cherished state parks throughout California. Closing all of these wonderful parks would not even take us 1% in the direction of being back in the black. And think of what will have been lost. Read Article »

	Bay Area Oil Spill A Disaster For Birds November 11, 2007, Kenwood, CA When the Cosco Busan crashed into the Bay Bridge, every birder I know immediately thought of what this disaster would mean for the birds. In addition to our beloved birds, whales will be swimming through the oil, as will seals, sea lions and other marine mammals. West Marin is one of my favorite places on earth, and to see it thus spoiled fills me with sorrow and anger. Read Article »

	Bewick's Wren - A hidden Bay Area bird worth seeking! October 7, 2007, Glen Ellen, CA Today, we'll turn our gaze on Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii, one of the larger SF Bay Area Wrens. Bewick's Wren, like most wrens, will instantly strike you as being 'all-tail'. Identification clue number one for wrens is that they tend to hold their tails up-turned, as if in proud of their lovely plumes. Read Article »

	The White-crowned Sparrow has returned! September 24, 2007, Kenwood, CA This trusty little bird disappeared when the weather heated up, early in the year, heading north to cooler Canada. Just this afternoon, my husband called me to the window excitedly. There, at the foot of the photinia hedge, a lone White-crowned Sparrow was hopping humbly through the green grass. Read Article »