Virginia Rail is a small, secretive marsh bird distinguished by its rich brown upperparts, slate-gray face and breast, finely barred flanks, and long, slightly decurved bill. In Arizona, Virginia Rails inhabit freshwater and brackish wetlands—marshes, irrigation canals, primarily in the lower Colorado River valley, the Gila River basin, and scattered Madrean Sky Island riparian corridors. They are most often detected during migration (April–May, September–October) and as winter visitors (November–March), venturing into marsh edges to forage; occasional nesting has been documented where dense cattail and bulrush stands persist, notably along the San Pedro and Santa Cruz rivers. Virginia Rails feed by probing soft mud for insects, crustaceans, snails and amphibians, and will emit a dry “kiddick” call when disturbed.
