The clapper rail is an elusive bird that lives in salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. With some knowledge of their habitat and behavior, you can increase your chances of observing this secretive species.
What is a clapper rail?
The clapper rail (Rallus crepitans) is a medium-sized marsh bird in the rail family that inhabits coastal salt marshes. They are typically 12-16 inches long with long legs and toes that allow them to walk on mudflats and marsh vegetation. Their bodies are slender and laterally compressed which aids in navigating through dense marsh grasses.
Clapper rails are cinnamon-brown above with light gray and white undersides. They have a long, slightly curved bill and short, rounded wings. Their most distinctive feature is their loud, clapping call which gives them their name. Males and females look alike.
Where do clapper rails live?
Clapper rails are found exclusively in coastal salt and brackish marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America. Their habitat ranges from Massachusetts south through Florida and west along the Gulf Coast to Texas.
Within salt marshes, clapper rails tend to occupy the dense stands of cordgrass found in the intermediate marsh zone between the low and high tide lines. They avoid areas that frequently flood. In winter, they may also be found in freshwater marshes.
Some key locations for finding clapper rails include:
- Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (NJ)
- Rachel Carson NWR (ME)
- Parker River NWR (MA)
- St. Marks NWR (FL)
- Anahuac NWR (TX)
- Aransas NWR (TX)
When are clapper rails active?
Clapper rails are most active at dawn and dusk as they forage along marsh edges. During midday they tend to remain hidden deep in the marsh vegetation to avoid predators. They are year-round residents throughout most of their range. Migratory populations in the northern parts of their range arrive back on the breeding grounds by April or May.
The breeding season starts in late March and extends through August with peak activity in May and June. Nests are well-hidden in dense vegetation slightly elevated off the marsh floor. Females lay 6-14 eggs that hatch after 21 days. Chicks are able to swim and walk within a day but remain hidden in vegetation. They fledge after 35 days.
How can I attract clapper rails?
Clapper rails are extremely wary and difficult to attract with food offerings. Your best bet is to explore their marsh habitat carefully during peak activity periods while listening for their distinctive calls. Some tips to increase your chances include:
- Search along marsh edges and tidal creek banks at dawn and dusk.
- Target areas with tall cordgrass or black needlerush.
- Stop frequently and listen for clapper rail calls.
- Use a spotlight to detect eyeshine after dark.
- Try broadcasting a clapper rail call to elicit a response.
- Walk slowly and quietly to avoid flushing hidden birds.
- Wear muted clothes like greens and browns.
- Be patient and still – observe quietly from a spot for 20-30 minutes.
What do clapper rails eat?
Clapper rails are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of marsh organisms. Their diet consists mainly of crustaceans, aquatic insects, small fish, mollusks, and sometimes seeds and plant material. They forage along marsh edges probing with their long bills in search of food. Fiddler crabs are a favorite prey item.
What are some tips for identifying clapper rails?
Identifying clapper rails can be tricky since they prefer to stay hidden in dense cover. Here are some tips on recognizing them:
- Listen for a loud, rolling “kek-kek-kek” call.
- Watch for a long-billed chicken-like head bobbing up in vegetation.
- Look for skinny, laterally compressed bodies slipping through grass.
- Note long legs with very long toes for walking on mud and vegetation.
- Be alert for quick movements low in the marsh.
- If you flush one, they typically drop back into cover after a short low flight.
If you manage to get a good look, clapper rails can be distinguished from other marsh birds like coots and gallinules by their slightly downcurved bill and more slender build.
Are clapper rails endangered?
Clapper rail populations are vulnerable in areas where their salt marsh habitats have been degraded or destroyed. However, over their widespread range they are still common enough to be considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
They suffered declines in the past from hunting pressure and pesticide contamination. While they do still face local threats, improved protection measures have allowed numbers to rebound in many areas. Ongoing conservation of coastal wetlands will be vital for the continued success of clapper rail populations.
Where can I see clapper rails?
Some top locations for your best chance at spotting a clapper rail include:
- Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Maryland) – Extensive tidal marshes with boardwalks and trails provide access.
- Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Massachusetts) – Nesting habitat and frequent sightings on the Marsh Trail.
- Dauphin Island (Alabama) – Look along the shoreline of the island’s salt marshes.
- Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (Texas) – Year-round residents and high densities in the marsh.
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Florida) – Easy viewing from the Lighthouse Road dike.
Consult local nature centers, wildlife refuges, and birding groups for information on salt marsh areas with public access that harbor clapper rails.
What is the best way to view clapper rails?
The secretive nature of clapper rails makes them a challenging bird to actually see. Here are some tips for getting your best views:
- Use a kayak or canoe to quietly paddle along marsh shorelines during foraging periods at dawn and dusk.
- Look for observation platforms and trails that provide a vantage point over the marsh.
- Take advantage of high tide when rails are concentrated on upper marsh edges.
- Bring a spotting scope and scan over the marshes from a distance.
- Sit still in a blind or natural cover and wait for rails to emerge.
- Play a recording of clapper rail calls to elicit a response and pinpoint their location.
With persistence and by capitalizing on their peak activity periods, you stand the best chance of laying eyes on this elusive saltmarsh nester.
How can I help conserve clapper rails?
Here are some ways you can help protect clapper rail populations:
- Volunteer for marsh restoration efforts – removing invasive plants, planting native vegetation.
- Participate in clapper rail surveys that monitor populations.
- Support wetland conservation programs and policy at local, state, and national levels.
- Reduce personal water consumption and plastic use to protect marine habitats.
- Report disturbances, degradation or pollution in coastal wetlands to proper authorities.
- Educate others on the importance of salt marsh ecosystems for rails and other wildlife.
- Avoid disturbing marshes and stay on marked trails when visiting coastal wetland areas.
Even small individual actions to help conserve coastal marshes can make a difference for clapper rails when multiplied by many people. Being an advocate for marine conservation and respecting fragile coastal habitats will give rails the sanctuary they need.
Conclusion
Spotting the secretive clapper rail requires patience, luck, and an understanding of their habitat and habits. By exploring tidal marshes during peak activity periods, listening for their distinctive calls, and using techniques to draw them into view, you can improve your chances of observing these birds. Any sighting provides a thrill and helps raise appreciation for the coastal wetland ecosystems these rails call home. With growing coastal development, it is also important that lovers of wildlife and wild places help conserve the salt marsh habitats that clapper rails rely on.