The king rail (Rallus elegans) is a waterbird, the largest North American rail.
Description
thumb|At [[Huntley Meadows Park|Huntley Meadows in Virginia]]
Distinct features are a long bill with a slight downward curve, with adults being brown on the back and rusty-brown on the face and breast with a dark brown cap. They also have a white throat and a light belly with barred flanks. Undertail coverts are white and are displayed by the male during courtship. Immature birds are covered in down,
Ecology
This bird is diurnal, contrasting with its smaller, nocturnal relatives.
Breeding
The nest is a raised platform built with marsh vegetation and covered by a canopy. This is to hide the eggs of this bird from predators that are searching from above.
References
External links
<!-- see also the RangeMap/maps, lists etc at: "www.natureserve.org"....(shows "breeding Resident", and "Permanent Resident" areas)-->