Aramides ypecaha

(Vieillot, 1819)

Vernacular names

English : Giant wood rail
French : Râle ypécaha

Classification

Class : Aves
Order : Gruiformes
Family : Rallidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification

One of the largest rail species, reaching a size of 53 cm for a weight of 765 g. Long greenish-yellow bill, red legs and eyes. Plumage brown, rufous-brown on breast and neck, grey on breast and head. White chin.

Range and habitat

This species occurs in South America, from eastern and central Brazil to east Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and north Argentina. Lives in lowland marshes and swamps with scattered trees, also gallery forests.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species used to be very common throughout its range but has declined because of trapping and habitat destruction.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA), Papiliorama Kerzers (Switzerland)