Rallus madagascariensis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	GRUIFORMES	RALLIDAE

Scientific Name:

Rallus madagascariensis

Species Authority:

Verreaux, 1833

Common Name/s:

English	–	Madagascar Rail, Madagascar Water Rail
French	–	Râle de Madagascar

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable because its population is small and undergoing a continuing decline owing to the accelerating destruction and modification of its wetland habitats.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Madagascar Rail Rallus madagascariensis occupies suitable habitat in eastern Madagascar where it is generally rare but locally not uncommon^1,2. Its population is estimated to number 2,500-10,000 individuals.
Countries:	Native: Madagascar
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The species's population is estimated to number 2,500-10,000 individuals (F. Hawkins in litt. 2002 to Wetlands International 2002).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Behaviour No evidence has been found to support the suggestion that this is a migratory species^4,5. It is a secretive bird, usually found alone or in pairs². It mainly breeds during the months of August-October⁴. Habitat This species inhabits dense aquatic vegetation of marshes, wet woodlands and river margins^2,4,5 from sea level to 1,800 m² but more frequently at high altitudes⁴. It prefers areas in which the vegetation is dominated by long grasses, reeds and sedges⁴. Diet it feeds mainly on invertebrates in muddy substrates^2,4,5. Breeding site It nests on the ground in thick aquatic vegetation^1,2. The nest is undescribed⁵.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

Behaviour No evidence has been found to support the suggestion that this is a migratory species^4,5. It is a secretive bird, usually found alone or in pairs². It mainly breeds during the months of August-October⁴. Habitat This species inhabits dense aquatic vegetation of marshes, wet woodlands and river margins^2,4,5 from sea level to 1,800 m² but more frequently at high altitudes⁴. It prefers areas in which the vegetation is dominated by long grasses, reeds and sedges⁴. Diet it feeds mainly on invertebrates in muddy substrates^2,4,5. Breeding site It nests on the ground in thick aquatic vegetation^1,2. The nest is undescribed⁵.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Habitat loss is the principal threat¹; its aquatic and wet forest habitats are rapidly being transformed by agricultural and logging activities⁴.

Major Threat(s):

Habitat loss is the principal threat¹; its aquatic and wet forest habitats are rapidly being transformed by agricultural and logging activities⁴.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway It is found in several protected areas³. No species-specific conservation action is yet in place. Conservation Actions Proposed Promote conservation of its habitats through both policy changes and community conservation projects. Determine the rate of population decline.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
It is found in several protected areas³. No species-specific conservation action is yet in place.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Promote conservation of its habitats through both policy changes and community conservation projects. Determine the rate of population decline.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Rallus madagascariensis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2012.
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