LIGHT-FOOTED CLAPPER RAIL Rallus longirostris levipes (Bangs) 



Order: GRUIFORMES Family: RALLIDAE 



Distinguisning characteristics : Similar coloration to the California clapper rail but 

 has a darker back, richer breast, and legs, feet, and bill are smaller. 



Present distribution : A very small number of these birds still exist in a few remaining 

 places in tidal salicornia marshes from Santa Barbara County to the Mexican border . 

 Largest populations apparently are at Anaheim Bay, Orange County, and at the mouth of 

 the Tijuana River, San Diego County. There are other reports for 1920 from Mission 

 Bay, San Diego County, and upper Newport Bay, Orange County (Wilbur). Distribution 

 in Mexico unknown . 



Former distribution : Formerly common resident in all salt marshes from Santa Barbara 

 County to the Mexican border and probably also to northwestern Baja California. 



Status : Vulnerable because north of Mexican border majority of individuals are in 



10 small marshes. Most of them are in 2 marshes. The others have very small populations. 



Decreasing because of the decrease in suitable tidal salicornia marsh habitat. 



Estimated numbers : Unknown. In Anaheim Bay in 1959 approximately 200 were seen on 

 an extremely high tide. In 1970 estimated number of 50 heard calling there. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Approximately 5 to 14 eggs per clutch. 



Reasons for decline : Destruction of its natural habitat by filling for housing and 

 industrial use , marina development and water pollution destroying food species and/or 

 habitat. 



Protective measures already taken : It is protected by Federal and State law, and 

 attempts are being made to protect its habitat from reclamation and water pollution 

 through acquisition of land for refuges , zoning and cooperative agreements with the 

 Department of Defence which holds some of this bird's habitat. A Bureau of Sport 

 Fisheries and Wildlife biologist is working part-time on this subspecies. 



Measures proposed : Acquisition and/or agreements with property owners to retain suitable 

 marsh habitat for this and other water-associated birds . Improvement of the control of 

 pollution in problem areas. Surveys to determine status of remaining population. 



Number in captivity : Unknown . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown . 



References : 



Grinnell, J. and A. H. Miller. 1944. The distribution of the birds of California. 



Cooper Ornithological Club, Berkeley, California. 

 Hoffman, R. 1927. Birds of the Pacific states. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 

 Kirven, M.N. (in lit.) 

 McCaskie, R. G. (in lit . ) 

 Wilbur, S. R. Administrative reports. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. 



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