"); The calls of Clapper Rail and King Rail overlap and so without verification by sight the identification of many calling birds is presumptive. Although shot in large numbers every year, their high reproductive rate enables them to maintain a stable population. var sc_https=1; Freshwater marshes are frequented by gallinules, the Sora, and Virginia and King Rails; these species being mostly replaced by the Clapper Rail in salt marshes. The loud and boisterous whinny echoes across wetlands from spring through summer. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family:Rallidae). var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-129491-1"); The locally distributed Black Rail and the “Yuma” subspecies of the Clapper Rail that occurs in the delta of the Colorado River are of particularly threatened by habitat loss. Soras give a loud, descending whinny call. Rails are small to medium sized birds with short tails, rather short necks and short wings. document.write("