Water Rail

Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Uncommon bird: +3 points when you log it.

Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Reedbeds, marshes.
Diet: Insects, snails, small fish.
Best time to spot: Pig-like squeals from cover.

When to look

Resident in the UK, so it can be found year-round. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Water Rail sits in our Uncommon tier for the UK: regular, but you usually need the right place or the right season. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Great White EgretUncommon · Marshes
• Bearded TitUncommon · Large reedbeds (E. England)
• Common CuckooUncommon · Reedbeds
• Common Reed WarblerUncommon · Reedbeds (summer)
• GadwallUncommon · Reservoirs
• Jack SnipeUncommon · Marshes (winter)

Kit that helps

Best spotting scopes for UK birding. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.