On Thursday, August 23, 2012 10:28:20 AM UTC-4, Matt Hafner wrote:
> Identifying Clapper and King Rails is one of the more�underappreciated identification problems in our area.��It is often said the best way to separate�them is by habitat since many vocalizations overlap and they are often heard-only.� The extensive brackish marshes surrounding the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries make even habitat separation difficult.� Many times, locations have simply been passed down among birders as "spots" for one species or the other.� I know that I've not personally seen rails at all locations that I have called heard-only King or Clapper Rails.� �The excellent EarBirding blog by Nathan Pieplow put out some information on these rails last week that I think would be useful to MD birders.� It confirms that extensive caution should be used when trying to identify these birds by vocalizations.� Personally, I would not recommend that�a single call or series be used to identify out-of-range birds or birds in potential areas of overlap.� Extended listening to a frequently calling bird may provide some consistencies that could be clues, but even then, identification may be best left as probable.� �http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/3889�Another part I'd like to point out is the "kek-burr" or "kicker" call.� I have heard multiple people in the field claim a rail giving this call is a King.� I think this comes from a popular tape series that had a recording of this call under King Rail, but not Clapper (if anyone knows for sure, I'd be interested).� Both species give this call with no known difference to separate them.�Enjoy!�Matt HafnerForest Hill, MD
Excellent Matt. Thanks for posting this detailed identification caution. Those are really good recordings and interesting findings on the website.
Sean McCandless
Elkton, MD
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