Madagascar Rail Rallus madagascariensis Scientific name definitions

25 cm; 1 male 148 g. Sexes alike. Distinguished from other medium-sized Madagascar rails by long, slender, decurved bill , lack of white on throat , unbarred flanks, and olive brown upperparts flecked with black ; from <em>Mentocrex kioloides</em> also by white undertail-coverts. Immature duller than adult , with brownish bill and brown eyes.

E Madagascar.

Sharp “tsi-ka” when flushed; also “kik-kik”. Calls frequently during day, from dense cover.

VULNERABLE. Becoming rare throughout range as result of pressure on natural habitats in E half of Madagascar, to which species is confined and where it was formerly (1929–1931) common, especially at high altitudes. Direct destruction of wetland habitats continues, especially to create rice paddies for feeding Madagascar's rapidly growing population, and no Madagascan wetland has full legal protection; in view of the need to expand rice cultivation, it is unlikely that wetlands will be included in new protected areas. Another threat is habitat alteration through effects of deforestation, such as variations in quantity, quality and frequency of water available from wetland catchments, and siltation as result of extensive soil erosion; fertilizers and pesticides from rice paddies are also affecting wetlands and their invertebrate communities. Has been listed in 2 Special Reserves and may occur in others, but is easily overlooked because of its shyness. Still relatively common in some pristine wetlands, e.g. Torotofotsy marsh, near Périnet; but only small populations exist in the few areas which are protected. Long-term survival depends on implementation of a wetland protection programme and creation of additional protected areas.