Rufous-Necked Wood Rail
VU

Rufous-Necked Wood Rail

Aramides axillaris

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous-necked_wood_rail

Overview

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

The Rufous-Necked Wood Rail faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation and wetland drainage throughout its Central American range. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and palm oil plantations, has fragmented its preferred lowland forest habitats. Urban development along coastal areas has eliminated critical mangrove and riparian corridors essential for the species' survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This secretive rail inhabits dense lowland forests, mangrove swamps, and freshwater wetlands from sea level to 1,200 meters elevation. It prefers areas with thick understory vegetation near water sources, including forest streams, marsh edges, and seasonally flooded woodlands.

FRESHWATER· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Rufous-Necked Wood Rail classified as Vulnerable?
Rufous-Necked Wood 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 Rufous-Necked Wood Rail faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation and wetland drainage throughout its Central American range. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and palm oil plantations, has fragmented its preferred lowland forest habitats. Urban development along coastal areas has eliminated critical mangrove and riparian corridors essential for the species' survival.
Where does Rufous-Necked Wood Rail live?
Rufous-Necked Wood 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 Rufous-Necked Wood Rail?
The main threats to Rufous-Necked Wood 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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