Bogota Rail Rallus semiplumbeus Scientific name definitions

Despite ample evidence for high dispersal capabilities, rails often have extremely restricted ranges, and the Bogota Rail is no exception. This species is found only in savanna and páramo marshes in the temperate zone of the eastern Andes of Colombia where it is highly localized. Its population is believed to be in decline owing to habitat loss and degradation— continued pressure on remaining habitat could affect it severely. The global population was estimated in 2016 at 5,600 individuals (roughly 3,700 mature individuals) and it is considered Vulnerable by BirdLife International. The Bogota Rail is closely related to the Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) of North America and northwestern South America, and to the Austral Rail (Rallus antarcticus) of southern South America. It has two described subspecies, the nominate in Colombia and peruvianus in Peru. However, peruvianus has not been recorded since the type specimen (which is reported to be lost) was collected in 1886, and the specific type locality in Peru is unknown. As a result, the status of peruvianus as a distinct taxon is dubious.