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Buff-banded rail

Gallirallus philippensis

Photo by lori.tas
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

It is a largely terrestrial bird the size of a small domestic chicken, with mainly brown upperparts, finely banded black and white underparts, a white eyebrow, chestnut band running from the bill round the nape, with a buff band on the breast.

Habitat:

Coral sea island.

Notes:

These cheeky birds would come into our tent to check the floor for food scraps. The only problem I had getting photos of them was their tendency to stick to the shadows.

Reference Links:

Buff-banded Rail

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)
lori.tas
NeiI, I was lucky to get a few decent shots when they were hurtling from one shady area to another. They were everywhere and nowhere if you know what I mean. Frenetic little foragers, but always under or behind something.
Neil Ross
Excellent spotting and beautiful photos, Lori. Everyone seems to have the same problem with these little critters. You've done so well!! :-)
lori.tas
Thanks Alice. They are very quick to bolt. If I hadn't been on an island where the animals have all gotten used to a small friendly human population, I'm sure they would have been as elusive as yours are.
AliceGreenup
I always spot these guys in my yard but they're gone by the time i lift up my camera. Great spotting!
lori.tas
We'd love to drop in next time we're up north. Thanks for the invite. As you are welcome to drop in if you're ever this far south. So far, I've got 22 photos up of our Lady Elliot Island trip. And at least that many to go. Check out the Red-tailed tropic birds.
LeanneGardner
What a lovely bird. Great photos too lori.tas, dont forget if you're near Sarina, drop in & say Hi. Nice find.
lori.tas
They're brilliant little birds, Marta. With all of the jaunty rail behaviors - the flicking tails and the all-out run, etc. Plus, all the squabbling between them. The 'buff' band has a lovely ruddy hue.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Photographed
PublishedOctober 1, 2013

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