Family: Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, Coots)

Authority: (Gurney, 1877)

Red List Category

Criteria: C2a(i)

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Justification of Red List category
This elusive species is listed as Critically Endangered as its population is now thought to be very small, and is believed to be undergoing a very rapid continuing decline in extent, area, and habitat quality, owing to the high rate of loss and degradation of its preferred habitat, seasonal marshland. Populations in both Ethiopia and South Africa are now thought to be extremely small (although it is unknown whether there is migration between the two areas).

BirdLife Species Champion: Rockjumper Birding Ltd

Population size: 50-249

Population trend: Decreasing

Extent of occurrence (breeding/resident): 200,000 km²

Country endemic: No

Attributes
Land-mass type - continent
Realm - Afrotropical
IUCN Ecosystem -- Terrestrial biome