Rails, Gallinules, and Coots (Rallidae)

11 species in Singapore.

Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots (Rallidae) form a large, diverse family of small to medium-sized birds found on every continent except Antarctica, in almost every habitat short of true desert, polar regions, and high mountains. Most favour wetlands: marshes, reedbeds, flooded fields, and quiet pools, though a few live in forest. The bill is the family's most variable feature, from the long, slender bill of some rails to the short, stout bill of the coots and the massive bill and fleshy forehead shield of the gallinules and swamphens. Despite their heavy-bodied appearance and weak-looking flight, some crakes are long-distance migrants.

Most Singapore rallids are secretive crakes of wetland vegetation, more often heard or glimpsed than clearly seen. White-breasted Waterhen is a notable exception, and can be bold and conspicuous in parks and gardens. Most species are straightforward to tell apart with reasonably good views, though some of the Rallina and Zapornia species may be superficially similar.

Most species stick to freshwater wetlands with dense vegetation. White-breasted Waterhen is more adaptable, extending into parks and gardens. Red-legged and Slaty-legged Crakes prefer streams and wet patches inside forest and secondary growth.

Most species skulk in dense cover, foraging by probing soft soil and gleaning invertebrates and seeds from mud, wet ground, and floating vegetation. Many are crepuscular. White-breasted Waterhen forages openly; most others are rarely seen in the open. Generally solitary or in pairs.