Chestnut Rail Gallirallus castaneoventris Scientific name definitions

Male 52 cm, 626–910 (752) g; female 44–52 cm, 550–710 (628) g. Largest rallid in its habitat; thickset species with longish tail  , long, heavy  , greenish bill  and pale yellow or green legs  ; head and upper portion of neck grey; chin white; underparts pinkish brown, varying ­considerably in brightness. Polymorphic, varying mainly in colour of upperparts  : dark chestnut brown in chestnut morph, Northern Territory; olive in olive morph, Western Australia; olive brown in olive brown morph, Northern Territory and Queensland. Sexes similar, but female smaller. Immature undescribed; one possible juvenile identical to adult chestnut morph. Race sharpei like chestnut morph; has deeper, heavier bill, green with yellow tip and red around nostrils.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Tropical estuaries, preferring mangrove forests  , tidal channels and flats, especially seaward mudflats; uncommon along creeks with only narrow fringe of mangroves. Occasionally in adjacent grassy flats, reedy swamps and open woodland, sometimes because normal mangrove habitat flooded.

Takes mainly crabs and other crustaceans; also small molluscs, insects and centipedes. Both diurnally and nocturnally active. Forages in soft mud  or shallow water within mangrove zone, along tidal channels and on tidal flats as tide falls. Moves slowly, often flicking tail; makes short runs to chase prey; most food taken from ground or water; often immerses bill and forehead into mud or water; also gleans and pecks at bases and roots of mangroves, and probes e.g. into crab burrows. Pair members feed close together.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Patchily recorded, with several apparent gaps in distribution which may be due to incomplete coverage by observers; status uncertain because birds very shy and difficult to see in dense habitat; more often located by characteristic loud, raucous call. Probably moderately common in good habitat, and density at one site was c. 8 birds/km²; breeding territory size estimated at 10 ha. No known threats to species or its habitat, but lack of recent records from S coast of Gulf of Carpentaria is puzzling. May become accustomed to disturbance from power boats.