Species:

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)

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Length (cm):
145-160
23-28
Wingspan (cm):
208-238
38-45
Weight (gram):
7000-14000
80-180
Size group:
Bigger than a crow
Thrush-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Big and white waterfowl with orange bill and black knob at base of bill. Juveniles more greyish and differs from juvenile Whoopers by all grey bill and black lores. Neck usually held more S-shaped than other swans when swimming. Long tail prominent when upending.

Sound:

Silent compared to other swans. A repertoire of snorting, grunting and hissing sound when interacting. No far carrying sounds. Wings produce prominent singing sound which may function as a flight contact-call.

Social sounds:

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See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Peter Boesman, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Fairly large rail with secretive behaviour. Distinguished by long red bill, brownish upperparts, slate grey underparts, and coarsely barred flanks. White and unmarked vent often visible due to frequently used posture with flirted tail. Long legs and toes visible in flight.

Sound:

Varied but distinct. Most heard is the territorial song consisting of short, nasal, sharp grunts "tuck- tuck-tuck", ending with a drawn-out trill rising and falling in pitch "kiiiieeerrrr". Another diagnostic call is heard from excited birds; a longer pig-like shrilling squeal, with waning repetitions. A bit like someone squeezing a rubber toy. Also short and sharp calls "kvii".

Song:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Pig call:
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Sounds:Recorded by Edmunds Racinskis

Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Duck-like
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Rails
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Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species
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See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file