Birdwatching: Storm drives Virginia rail within viewing distance

Published 10:10 am Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Major storms like that of last weekend sometimes have a positive side. Strong winds and rain can bring in the birds. Sometimes major storms result in rarities or larger numbers of a species than would normally be expected. One such species a friend and I heard loud and clear last week is the Virginia rail. Its long sequence of “kid-dik, kid-dik” was loud and repeated often enough to draw our attention to its presence. It was a first for us both in the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and environs, so it made me wonder whether the storm was responsible for its appearance. While it isn’t a rarity, it is uncommon here, which means that it is present in the refuge and nearby areas, but not certain to be seen.

The Virginia rail is a secretive bird that frequents freshwater marshes, and spends most of its time in the densest vegetation where it is hidden from sight. It is well adapted to this lifestyle. According to the Cornell Ornithological Lab, the Virginia rail has a “laterally compressed body, long toes and flexible vertebrae”, which makes it able to move easily through dense habitat. In addition, its forehead feathers “are adapted to withstand wear from pushing through dense marsh vegetation.”

It is a small bird with a compact body, and a chicken-like appearance. Its bill is long, red in color and slightly curved. Its tail is short and its legs are strong. It has a vibrant, reddish colored throat and breast, and a gray face. However, at first glance, it appears small with a long bill and dark plumage overall. The Virginia rail occasionally comes out of the vegetation to the edges of the marsh. It tends to be solitary.

A little known fact about the Virginia rail is that it can swim underwater. Research indicates that it uses its wings to swim through the water. It is thought that this ability is only utilized when attempting to flee a predator. It also builds several dummy nests as well as the one used for nesting. Perhaps this is also a tactic to guard against predators. Its nest is placed above a spot of shallow water. It is basket-like in shape and is made of vegetation.

Small snakes, aquatic invertebrates such as insects and insect larvae, frogs and fish make up the bird’s diet. Virginia rails probe with their long bill for these delicacies.

It is not too late to look for birds that may have been blown in by the recent wind storm. Four red-throated loons made an appearance and at least four horned grebes were seen as well.

Since 2015 there have only been five sightings of the Virginia rail reported to eBird. Prior to 2015 the number of sightings was zero. I wonder how many will be reported or sighted in 2017?