Galapagos Rail
VU

Galapagos Rail

Laterallus spilonotus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galapagos_crake

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Galápagos Rail faces severe pressure from introduced predators, particularly cats, rats, and pigs, which prey on eggs, chicks, and adults in their ground-nesting habitats. Habitat degradation from invasive plant species and trampling by introduced goats and cattle has reduced the quality of wetland and highland vegetation areas essential for foraging and nesting. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the seasonal wetlands this species depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Galápagos Rail inhabits dense vegetation in highland areas, seasonal freshwater pools, and wetland margins across several Galápagos islands. It prefers areas with thick ground cover including sedges, grasses, and low shrubs that provide protection from predators and suitable foraging opportunities for invertebrates.

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Dot-winged crake

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Brown Wood-RailVU

Brown Wood-Rail

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Hawaiian Coot

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COCRCR

COCR

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Galapagos Rail classified as Vulnerable?
Galapagos Rail is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Galápagos Rail faces severe pressure from introduced predators, particularly cats, rats, and pigs, which prey on eggs, chicks, and adults in their ground-nesting habitats. Habitat degradation from invasive plant species and trampling by introduced goats and cattle has reduced the quality of wetland and highland vegetation areas essential for foraging and nesting. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the seasonal wetlands this species depends upon.
Where does Galapagos Rail live?
Galapagos Rail occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Galapagos Rail?
The main threats to Galapagos Rail are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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