Clapper Rail
Rallus crepitans

In 2014, several subspecies of the Clapper Rail clan received full species status. The west coastal “Light-Footed Clapper Rail” became the Ridgway’s Rail (Rallus obsoletus levipes). The “Yuma Clapper Rail” became the subspecies Rallus obsoletus yumanensis. These changes came by order of the high command of the American Ornithological Union. Those members living along the coast of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, have kept the name of “Clapper Rail”.
Even with the separation of those members on the west coast, there remain eleven recognized subspecies of Clapper Rail. The four living in the USA are:
- R. c. crepitans lives along the Atlantic coast from Connecticut to North Carolina.
- R. c. waynei in Coastal Atlantic salt marshes from North Carolina to eastern Florida.
- R. c. saturatus lives on the Gulf Coast from Alabama to Texas and Tamaulipas (Mexico).
- R. c. scottii, which live in south Florida.
Clapper Rails have some special adaptations and behaviors that help them survive the trials of living in a coastal marsh environment. They have special glands that permit the drinking of sea water. Their eggs can survive immersion under high tide waters without losing the ability to hatch healthy young. Parents carry very young chicks on their backs during high tides and when crossing bodies of deep water.
While visiting south Texas, I have enjoyed fortuitous encounters with these elusive birds. My meetings occurred during visits to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. In the spring of 2021, a bird emerged from the marshy edges and casually walked through the scene near the boardwalk I had been filming. Then, just as I captured a few frames, it disappeared into the edge growth not to be seen again. I returned in the fall of 2022 and met them once again.
8 Photos

Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) |
Description: Normally a secretive species, this rail blessed us with an open view. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 12:15 |
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ClapperRail_D5X0834SouthPadre-WBC |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) |
Description: Normally a secretive species, this rail blessed us with an open view. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 12:15 |
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ClapperRail_D5X0813SouthPadre-WBC |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) |
Description: Normally a secretive species, this rail blessed us with an open view. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 12:14 |
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: ClapperRail_D5X0771SouthPadre-WBC |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) |
Description: Normally a secretive species, this rail blessed us with an open view. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 12:13 |
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ClapperRail_D5X0733SouthPadre-WBC |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) |
Description: Usually shy birds, this Clapper Rail spent a few minutes posing very near me for pictures. Spend a day at the SPI Bird and Nature Center (BNC) and there will surely be some interesting birds for your entertainment. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:03 11:51 |
Location:
South Padre Island Nature Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: ClapperRail_8508056-SPI-BirdNatureCenter |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) |
Description: Usually shy birds, this Clapper Rail spent a few minutes posing very near me for pictures. Spend a day at the SPI Bird and Nature Center (BNC) and there will surely be some interesting birds for your entertainment. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:03 11:52 |
Location:
South Padre Island Nature Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: ClapperRail_8508105-SPI-BirdNatureCenter |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) |
Description: Usually shy birds, this Clapper Rail spent a few minutes posing very near me for pictures. Spend a day at the SPI Bird and Nature Center (BNC) and there will surely be some interesting birds for your entertainment. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:03 11:59 |
Location:
South Padre Island Nature Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ClapperRail_8508215-SPI-BirdNatureCenter |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) |
Description: Clapper Rails, if they want to, can be nearly invisible as they navigate the marshes. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:18 11:37 |
Location:
South Padre Island Bird and Natu |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: ClapperRail_8504342-SPI-BNC |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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