King Rail

Status One sight record. On 15 September 1957 Betty June and Sidney Smith observed a large rail which they identified as this species on the open terrain of Cape Sable Island.

Remarks The Smiths were able to study this rail at close range with binoculars and noted its much richer, rusty colouration in comparison with the Clapper Rail. The species nests locally as far north as Massachusetts and southern Ontario, and its occasional occurrence here as a vagrant is not unexpected.