nature park of the po delta

nature park of the po delta
 nature park of the po delta
nature park of the po delta
 nature park of the po delta
escursioni naturalistiche nel parco naturale del delta del Po
il territorio del parco naturale del delta del Po
il fiume Po
la flora del parco naturale del delta del Po
la fauna marina del parco naturale del delta del Po
la fauna terrestre del parco naturale del delta del Po
la storia del parco naturale del delta del Po
la cucina del parco naturale del delta del Po
nature park of the po delta
WATER RAIL



ORDER: Charadriiformes

FAMILY: Rallidae



DISTRIBUTION: Distributed throughout Eurasia and North Africa, some migrate south for the winter. In Italy it is a regular migrant (October to November and April).

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: It is usually identified by its very particular voice. It is distinguishable from all the other rallidae by its long red beak. The upper part of its body is olive-brown with dense black striations; its face, throat, and breast are blue-grey; its sides are striped black and white. The underneath of its tail is off-white while its legs are flesh-coloured. It is nervous and withdrawn, though it sometimes moves to bushes in the open.

HABITAT: The water rail lives in dense aquatic vegetation, among reed thickets and areas with willows that grow in water, in waste disposal ponds, ponds with thick vegetation, and ditches.

FOOD: Active from dusk to dawn, the water rail feeds on grain seeds, worms, larvae, and buds.

NESTING: The water rail nests from April to June, building a nest completely hidden in the midst of grassy areas in which it lays 6-11 eggs that hatch after 19-22 days of brooding. Both sexes take care of the brooding.

IDENTIFICATION:
Length 260 – 290 mm;
Wing 109 - 133;
Wingspan 360 – 450;
Tarsus 38 – 47;
Beak 34 – 45;
Tail 46 – 66;
Weight 88 – 120 g;
Maximum lifespan 5 years 6 months;
Egg size 36 x 26 mm;
Egg weight 13 g.
nature park of the po delta
nature park of the po delta
nature park of the po delta