Water Rail Rallus aquaticus feeding in reed bed Norfolk Winter
Smaller and distinctly slimmer than the moorhen, the water rail is a fairly common but highly secretive inhabitant of freshwater wetlands. It has chestnut-brown and black upperparts, grey face and underparts and black-and-white barred flanks, and a long red bill. Difficult to see in the breeding season, it is relatively easier to find in winter, when it is also more numerous and widespread. Although usually secretive they can become confiding but are still far more often heard than seen. Widely but thinly distributed as breeding birds across the UK, but absent from upland areas. Most abundant in Eastern England and suitable habitat along the south coast.
Size: 4896px × 3264px
Location: Norfolk England UK
Photo credit: © Ernie Janes / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: autumn, bird, coastal, colour, common, dense, family, feeding, high-pitched, marsh, nature, piglet-, plumage, portrait, rail, reedbed, reeds, reflection, reserve, ripples, sharm, squealing, territorial, vegetated, vegetation, wetland, wetlands, wild
