Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: RAIL, YELLOW

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: GRUIFORMES

Family: RALLIDAE

Genus: COTURNICOPS

Species: NOVEBORACENSIS

Taxonomic Authority: (GMELIN)

Taxonomy References: 001

Status

NONGAME

Status References: 007

Habitat Summary

"Inhabit sedge and grass marshes, generally with vegetation less than 2 feet tall and water 0-60 cm deep."

Primary Habitat: "Wetland - marsh"

References: 004 , 005 , 006

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Rare transient *02*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
CALLAWAY BOLLINGER ADAIR
CAPE GIRARDEAU PIKE ANDREW
HOLT ATCHISON
ST. LOUIS AUDRAIN
STODDARD BARRY
WAYNE BARTON
BATES
BENTON
BOONE
BUCHANAN
BUTLER
CALDWELL
CAMDEN
CARROLL
CARTER
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 002 , 003 , 011 , 012 , 013 , 014 , 015

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
Black R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial/Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Palustrine

Aquatic Associations:

"Palustrine", "Emergent, persistent",
"Palustrine", "Emergent, persistent",
"Palustrine", "Emergent, persistent",

References for Aquatic Associations: 004 , 005 , 006 , 010 , 014

Habitat Types:

Marsh
Perennial Grass (Warm season)

References for Habitat Types: 004 , 005 , 006 , 008 , 014

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Prairie
Wet-Mesic Prairie
Wet Prairie
Hardpan Prairie
Wetland
Marshes
Freshwater Marsh
Pond Marsh

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 004 , 005 , 006 , 008 , 014

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Omnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Juvenile diet similar to adult's; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 014

Adult Food Habits

Gramineae (grass); Fruit/Seeds
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 004

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Does not nest in missouri

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Height of aquatic/emergent vegetation specified in comments(00125)
Density of aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00130)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: intermittently exposed
Water level: seasonally flooded
Water level: artificially flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: marsh
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage: climax grassland
Human association: national parks/historic landmarks
Human association: wildlife refuges/sanctuaries

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 004 , 005 , 006 , 010 , 017

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Height of aquatic/emergent vegetation specified in comments(00125)
Density of aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00130)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: intermittently exposed
Water level: seasonally flooded
Water level: artificially flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: marsh
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage: climax grassland
Human association: national parks/historic landmarks
Human association: wildlife refuges/sanctuaries

References for resting adult niche requirements: 004 , 005 , 006 , 010

Niche Requirement Summary

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Density of aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00130)
Does not nest in missouri
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Height of aquatic/emergent vegetation specified in comments(00125)
Human association: national parks/historic landmarks
Human association: wildlife refuges/sanctuaries
Inland wetlands: marsh
Successional stage: climax grassland
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water level: artificially flooded
Water level: intermittently exposed
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: seasonally flooded

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
035 Destruction of wetlands greatest threat.*06,10*
004 Foraging strategy information unavailable
033 In MI, spring migration April and May, fall migration mid September to early October *04*
099 Spends much time under rank dense vegetation in March *04*

Life History Information

Migration patterns specified in comments(033)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: spring/fall
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: water

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
035 Destruction of wetlands greatest threat.*06,10*
004 Foraging strategy information unavailable
033 In MI, spring migration April and May, fall migration mid September to early October *04*
099 Spends much time under rank dense vegetation in March *04*

References for life history: 003 , 004 , 006 , 010

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain wetlands
Water - develop/maintain freshwater marsh
Water - control sedimentation
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - control water levels

Beneficial Management References: 010 , 014

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of pesticides
Water - application of insecticides
Water - dredging and filling
Water - control aquatic plants
Water - navigational improvements (channelization, dams, locks)
Water - stream channelization
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes

Adverse Management References: 010 , 014 , 016

Comments on Management:
Destruction of wetlands is greatest threat *06,10*. In southeast MO, rails and shorebirds selectively attracted to man-made wetlands. Shallow flooding (5-15cm) of moist soil plants in September-October and late March-early may attracted soras and virginia rails. Management for spring migrants successful only in vegetative types that provide emergent cover. Plant species composition appeared to have little impact. For spring migrants, need late fall and winter drawdown of early successional annual grasses, or selection of later success. Stage sedges, rushes, and woody shrubs. Rail and shorebird management mutually exclusive. Regular use of one impoundment by both rails and shorebirds might be obtained in fall by disking higher elevations of unit and leaving vegetation standing in low areas. If disked portions then flooded to appropriate depth for shorebirds, water depths in lower, vegetated portions probably suitable for rails. Late summer flooding for south bound rails effectively set back succession on one plot. Suggested phenologic clues for management in southeast mo: manipulations to attract spring migrants should be underway when eastern cottonwood and red maple reach peak blooming, areas flooded for spring rails can be dewatered when flowering dogwood finished blooming. Impoundments for southbound rails should be flooded as american lotus and trumpet creeper complete blossoming, and can be dewatered when goldenrod blossoms degenerate *10*

References for Management Comments: 006 , 010

References

Reference Code Citation
001 American Ornithologists Union. 1983. Checklist Of North American Birds (6th Ed.) Allen Press, Lawrence, KS. 877 Pp.
002 Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri.
003 Unpb Wilson, Jim D. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
004 Walkinshaw, L.H. 1939. The Yellow Rail In Michigan. Auk 56(3):227- 237.
005 Morris, R.O. 1905. The Gadwall And Yellow Rail Near Springfield, Massachusetts. Auk 22:207-208.
006 Sanderson, G.C. 1977. Management Of Migratory Shore And Upland Game Birds In North America. Inter. Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agency. 358 Pp.
007 Missouri Register. Migratory Game Birds And Waterfowl: Seasons, Limits. 3csr 10-7.440.
008 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
009 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
010 Unpb Rundle, W.D. 1980. Management, Habitat Selection, And Feeding Ecology Of Migrant Rails And Shorebirds. M.S. Thesis. Univ. Mo, Columbia. 228pp.
011 Kleen, V.M. 1979. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 33(5):775-778.
012 Kleen, V.M. 1979. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 33(2):181-185.
013 Robbins, M. 1975. Fall Survey. Bluebird 42(2):5-7.
014 Unpb Fredrickson, L.H. Univ. Mo. Gaylord Research Lab. Puxico, Mo 63960 (573)222-3203.
015 Rundle, W.D. and L.H. Fredrickson. 1981. Managing Seasonally Flooded Impoundments For Migrant Rails And Shorebirds. The Wildl. Soc. Bull. 9(2):80-87.
016 Unpb Smith, J.W. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201 (573-882-9880).
017 unpb Reid, F.A. 1989. Differential Habitat Use By Waterbirds In A Managed Wetland Complex. Ph.D. Diss., Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 270 Pp.