Adult male water rail

Water rails are more likely to be heard than seen. They have a varied vocal range, making grunts, purrs or squeals. Despite being so vocal, water rails are shy birds which hide in vegetation of wetland areas.
Water rails are smaller and slimmer than moorhens. They have a brown, streaked back and their bills are long, reddish and slightly curved. They use these long bills to probe mud or shallow water for insects, seeds, berries and even small birds and rodents.