Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is undergoing a decline, owing primarily to the loss, modification and degradation of wetland habitats. Declines have been rapid in the past, but appear to be slowing down in recent years, albeit with a large uncertainty. Given the probably moderately rapid declines, the species is evaluated as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population is estimated to number 69,000 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2020).
Trend justification
The species is in decline owing mainly to the loss, fragmentation and degradation of wetland habitats (Cooper 2008; Pickens and Meanley 2020). Between 1970 and 2017, the species has been undergoing a large, significant decline (Partners in Flight 2020); nevertheless, declines seem to be slowing down considerably in recent decades (Meehan et al. 2018; Pardieck et al. 2018). The overall rate of decline over three generations (10.8 years; Bird et al. 2020) is difficult to quantify. Data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) suggest a rapid, though non-significant decline of up to 46% over the past three generations (Pardieck et al. 2018). However, caution is advised in using BBS data, as the methods and coverage of these surveys may not provide reliable data for the species (reviewed by Cooper 2008; see also Pickens and Meanley 2020). Audubon's Christmas Bird Count report only a slow decline of 5% over the past three generations, although likewise non-significant (Meehan et al. 2018). There is no information on the population trend in Mexico or Cuba.
Based on available information, the species is inferred to be in decline. To accommodate the considerable uncertainty around the trend rate, the decline is here considered to be moderately rapid and placed in the band 20-29% over the past three generations; this however requires confirmation.
Rallus elegans (incorporating ramsdeni) is a widespread and partially migratory inhabitant of freshwater and brackish wetlands, including modified areas, in eastern North America in Canada (Ontario) and USA, eastern Mexico and Cuba (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). Recent DNA analysis of a specimen obtained in 1985 has also placed the species in Bocas del Toro, Panama, most likely an individual of subspecies ramsdeni, though there have been no recent records and the status of the population is unclear (Maley et al. 2016; eBird 2021).
The species is found in freshwater and locally in brackish marshes, successional stages of marsh-shrub swamp, rice fields, flooded farmland, river margins, and upland fields near marshes. Occasionally, it is also found in salt-marsh during migration (del Hoyo et al. 1996).
Severe declines have been evident in northern part of range since the 1940s, mainly as result of loss, modification and degradation of wetland habitats, and pesticide use. Populations in southern USA appear more stable. In some parts of the range, up to 90% of the original wetland habitat was lost by the 1980s, and remaining wetlands are subject to altered flooding regimes, a lack of sedimentation and sea-level rise in coastal areas (Pickens and Meanley 2020). Suitable habitats are further degraded by the encroachment of trees and shrubby vegetation, including invasive plants like Common Reed Phragmites australis and Reed Canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea (Pickens and Meanley 2020).
Despite being considered a game bird, pressure from hunting appears to be very low (Pickens and Meanley 2020). Individuals are often killed in muskrat traps, and are frequent road casualties when forced to move during floods in the breeding season. Mortality is further known to stem from collisions with communications towers throughout the USA and Canada (Longcore et al. 2013).
Conservation and research actions underway
Conservation and recovery plans exists for the USA and Canada (Cooper 2008; Environment Canada 2012). Strategies and actions include: surveying and monitoring of King Rail populations and their habitats, development and implementation of protection and management tools, and collaborative research activities with international partners that contribute to an improved understanding of the species.
Conservation and research actions proposed
Assess the presence and the status of the population in Panama. Survey wetlands throughout the range to obtain exact estimates of the population trend. Monitor the population trend. Investigate the species's ecology and breeding behaviour. Clarify the scale and severity of threats. Protect wetland habitats within the range. Consider eliminating invasive plants and restore suitable habitat.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C., Everest, J.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Cooper, T., Ekstrom, J., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: King Rail Rallus elegans. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/king-rail-rallus-elegans on 20/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 20/12/2024.