A small chunky rail with grayish body and yellow bill. Most-common rail in North America. Their descending whistled call is heard far more often than the bird is seen.

Also called: Sora Rail, Carolina Rail

Native status: Native; widespread

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 19–30 cm (7.5–12 in); wingspan 35–40 cm
Weight49–112 g
LifespanWild typically 6 years; oldest documented 7
OrderGruiformes
FamilyRallidae

§ Encyclopedia

The sora, sora rail or Carolina crake is a small waterbird of the rail family Rallidae, sometimes also referred to as the sora rail or sora crake, that occurs throughout much of North America. The genus name Porzana is derived from Venetian terms for small rails, and the specific carolina refers to the Carolina Colony. The common name "Sora" is probably derived from a Native American language.

Source: Wikipedia — Sora (bird) Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small chunky marsh bird with stubby yellow bill, gray face, black throat (adults), brown back streaked with white, barred flanks. Walks with twitching tail.

Similar species. Virginia Rail (long red bill, gray face). King Rail (much larger, longer bill). Other rails (different shape, longer bill).

Voice. Distinctive descending "ker-wee" whistle; long descending whinny "wer-wer-wer-wer-wer."

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Seeds (smartweeds, wild rice, sedges), aquatic invertebrates (snails, midge larvae), occasional small fish.

Behavior. Most common rail in North America despite being rarely seen — extremely secretive in dense marsh vegetation. Disproportionate long toes spread weight across floating vegetation. Surprisingly strong long-distance migrant given its short rounded wings — Pacific subspecies winters as far south as Peru. Despite their abundance, sora populations are tracking the loss of marsh habitat.

§ Range

Across North America

§ Habitat

Freshwater marshes, wet meadows, wet hay fields

§ Threats

Wetland drainage, agricultural changes.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the sora is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support wetland protection. Maintain wet meadows.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • Bird Studies Canada
  • IUCN Red List 2018