Rails » Length: 7.5 inches Wingspan: 14 inches » Fairly small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling marsh bird » Long, slightly decurved bill » Most often seen walking, rarely flies » Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white undertail coverts » Sexes similar

Birds of the family Rallidae are called rails. The birds' bodies are usually narrow enough to enable them to slip through dense vegetation, such as in the marshes they typically inhabit. Rails ordinarily remain on the ground and are difficult to flush, secretive, and sometimes nocturnal in habit. Commonly heard rather than seen, they emit certain calls and squawks characteristic of the species. These small- to medium-size birds have moderate to long legs and long toes, which are advantageous for walking or running over soft ground. They often flick their short tails, which are cocked upward. They are usually but not always colored gray, brown, and dull red; the plumage usually has a loose texture, and the sexes look alike. Bills range from stubby to elongate, depending on the species. Rails are omnivorous, but many species predominantly eat small animals. Their nests generally are well hidden and well separated. Clutches often contain 6 to 12 eggs, and both sexes usually participate in incubating them. The young at hatching are covered by a black or brownish down in most species and leave the nest immediately after hatching.