The Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus), not to be confused with the Clapper Rail is an interesting species of Bird. Also known as the Marsh Hen these once abundant birds are now decreasing in population rapidly. Actually, depending on your source, this species is either threatened or endangered. According to the ICUN Red list it is considered threatened. Likely the reasoning for such confusion is the fact that the Clapper Rail, Ridgway’s Rail, and the Mangrove Rail were considered the same species until 2014 (Berkley).
These indicator species are found in Marshes in Southern California, San Francisco, and Mexico. They are most threatened by habitat loss and predation. “ The population in California's San Francisco Bay has been severely compromised as up to 90% of its original 285 square miles of marsh has been filled, destroyed, or diked, and much of the remainder is degraded. (Cornell)”
Ways you can help:
If you live in the area be sure to walk with dogs leashed around marshes, and don’t let cats roam freely
If you come across free roaming cats in these areas, don’t feed them
Volunteer or Donate to the Living Coast - An organization based in San Diego, California which as the head of a major Rail Breeding Program. It’s also the only zoo in the world you can see a Ridgway’s Rail in person
Pick up Trash
Check out the Links below and learn more about the importance of salt marshes and support conservation of the vital habitats
Sources:
https://rfs-env.berkeley.edu/restoration/ridgways-rail-conservation
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san_diego_bay/wildlife_and_habitat/Light-footed_Ridgways_Rail.html
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Clapper_Rail/id
https://www.thelivingcoast.org/saving-the-endangered-ridgways-rail/
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ridgways_Rail/lifehistory
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/ridgways-rail
About the Illustration
The rail above is pictured with Native Flora around it’s habitat
The California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Silverweed (Argentina anserina)
Pickleweed (Salicornia pacifica)
The San Diego Sunflower (Bahiopsis laciniata)