15 May, 2010

Belize Bird of the Week - Rufous-Necked Wood Rail (Aramides axillaris)


I was taking pictures along the edge of the marsh on the north end of our property when I saw a movement back in the shadows of the marsh. What could that be? It is sort of reddish and skinny. Could it be a possum?  No, it doesn’t move like a possum. Is it a snake? No, not long enough and too high off the fallen tree trunk. It’s a bird! Creeping, tip-toeing really, along a downed tree I can see a bird emerging from the gloom of marsh.
The head, neck, and breast are cinnamon colored, that is why I thought “possum” at first.
But this bird has lovely subtle blues and greens along with the cinnamon. It is really first-rate!   This is a Rufous-Necked Wood Rail.

These rails are very secretive and usually are more active at dusk than during the day.
They are described as “Apparently rare (but doubtless in part only overlooked) in mangrove swamps …seemingly very local and recorded from only 3 localities…” It seems we are hosting a rarely seen, if not rare, bird.

11 comments:

  1. It must be a really rare species Wilma. Great bird. Lucky you.
    Have a great Sunday.
    Costas

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  2. A rare and beautiful bird. The slenderness resembles our own burung ruak-ruak in Malaysia. Ruak-ruak just walk and rush.. but never fly high.
    BANGCHIK

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  3. Beautiful colour combination. Must be a rare bird.

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  4. Great colours: I expect you were 'quite excited' to see this bird, Wilma. I know I would have been.

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  5. Isn't it great when you find a bit of a rarity yourself? I can imagine you must be very pleased with that find. A beautiful looking bird. Quite a colour combination.

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  6. HI Wilma,
    What a strange looking this is for me!! Wow it is wonderful and funny at the same time! You got very nice pictures there.. Congrats ont he spotting it is very nice to see a rare bird time to time!

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  7. Hi Wilma. What fun to find such a colourful but secretive rarity. FAB.

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  8. Costas, Bangchick, Madi, Emma,Keith, Sebi, Chris, and Frank -- this was definitely a highlight of our trip this time, a real treat to see. Thanks for stopping by.
    Cheers,
    Wilma

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  9. I'm not the only one to have have a rare Rail visiting the garden, congratulations on your rare visitor , natures full of suprises

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  10. Hi Wilma, what a really unusual bird.

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  11. David and Roy -- thanks for stopping to take a look and leave a comment about this bird.

    cheers,
    Wilma

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