Blackish rail

The blackish rail, a member of the rail family Rallidae, is native to South America. It is closely related to the plumbeous rail, and some experts even consider them to be the same species. It is sometimes classified under the genus Ortygonax or Rallus. This bird exhibits a fragmented distribution, with populations found in northeastern and southeastern Brazil, northern Argentina, eastern Paraguay, western Brazil, Bolivia, central Peru, Colombia, and potentially western Venezuela.

The blackish rail inhabits swamps, wetlands, wet grasslands, and rice fields, living at elevations up to 4,080 meters. Although they are generally not migratory, they have occasionally been observed in unexpected locations. Due to their elusive nature, there is limited knowledge about their behavior. It is believed that their diet primarily consists of invertebrates and insects.

For nesting, blackish rails construct cup-shaped nests on stumps. They typically lay between 2 and 3 eggs, with an incubation period lasting approximately 18 to 21 days. The chicks, covered in black downy feathers, leave the nest shortly after hatching, with both parents participating in their care.