Water rail / Wasserralle (Rallus aquaticus)

Irgendwo etwa 3m weg, gab's eine Wasserralle, immer noch nicht gesehen. 2025-10-31 15:14:35 Wildert

Observations

First documented observation: 2021-02-15 in Pfäffikersee. Most recent observation: 2025-10-31 in Wildert.

Description

Classification: Genus Rallus (Rallus); Family Rails (Rallidae)
General: In reeds at a lake.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel, Wintergast RL V
Appearance and identification: The upper parts from the forehead to tail are olive-brown with black streaks, especially on the shoulders. The sides of the head and the underparts down to the upper belly are dark slate-blue, except for a blackish area between bill and eye, and brownish sides to the upper breast. The flanks are barred black and white, and the undertail is white with some darker streaks. The long bill and the iris are red, and the legs are flesh-brown. [Link]
Behavior: Shy but generally not uncommon, this reclusive marsh bird is more often heard than seen: listen for its varied piglike squeals and grunts coming from dense vegetation. Favors fresh marshes and ponds with taller vegetation, especially reeds and rushes [Link]
Vocalization: Varied but distinct. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-20 - 07-29
Migration in: 02-20 - 05-10
Migration out: 07-29 - 11-15
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=23-28 cm, wingspan=38-45 cm, weight=80-180 g
Habitats: Wetland

Vocalisation

Song: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording.
Song: Most heard is the territorial song consisting of short, nasal, sharp grunts "tuck- tuck-tuck", ending with a drawn-out trill rising and falling in pitch "kiiiieeerrrr". [Link] Song attributes: Frequency:
XC943956 - Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus - squeaky call. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC943956 - Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus - squeaky call.mp3 (call)


Calls: Another diagnostic call is heard from excited birds; a longer pig-like shrilling squeal, with waning repetitions. A bit like someone squeezing a rubber toy. Also short and sharp calls "kvii". [Link] Everyone says they sound like pigs!

Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz), Special sounds: weird.