One of the most secretive and intriguing birds of the Galápagos Islands. Endemic to the archipelago, it is found nowhere else in the world, making it a true island specialist. It has a slender body, short wings, and long legs suited for slipping through dense vegetation. Its plumage is dark brown with streaks on the back, and it has a striking red eye that stands out against its subtle colors. Unlike many of the island’s more famous animals, the Galápagos rail is rarely seen by visitors because it spends most of its life hidden in the undergrowth, darting silently through ferns and grasses.

While it is not completely flightless, it rarely takes to the air and instead relies on running and hiding to escape danger. This makes it perfectly adapted to the thick ground vegetation of the islands where it lives. Rails are opportunistic feeders, and the Galápagos rail is no exception: it forages for insects, small snails, seeds, and tender plant shoots, probing through leaf litter with its slender bill. Because it lives in moist highland habitats on several islands, including Santiago, Santa Cruz, and Isabela, it has become a vital part of the ecosystem, helping to control insect populations and contributing to the cycling of nutrients in the soil.

Unlike the bold finches or iguanas that often greet visitors, rails are masters of invisibility—birdwatchers often hear their thin, squeaky calls long before they catch a glimpse of the bird itself. Their small wings and elusive habits suggest they may have gradually lost much of their flight ability after colonizing the islands, much like other island birds such as the flightless cormorant. They are also believed to have ancient relatives in South America, from which their ancestors flew to the islands long ago.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Ecuador

5,000-10,000

VU

2020

Galápagos