Rail way

Our road frontage is the area where this rail has its way, as the habitat is what it favours, water, water plants and long grass into which it can quickly disappear.

The Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis is a medium sized rail around 12" and is the only species of rail that I have seen on our property. I often see them by the roadside but they are quick to run into the grass (I haven't seen one fly) and today I was lucky to catch sight of this one from my car and have the camera handy to get a couple of photos. Not restricted to Australia they are found in NZ and other Pacific and Indian ocean Islands.