Schlegel's Rail
VU

Schlegel's Rail

Gymnocrex rosenbergii

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Schlegel's Rail faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in Indonesia's lowland forests. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its ground-dwelling habits and dependence on intact forest floor ecosystems, which are being systematically cleared for palm oil plantations and rice cultivation. Hunting pressure and trapping for the illegal bird trade compound these habitat threats, while the rail's secretive nature and small population size make recovery efforts challenging.

Threat summary

Habitat

Schlegel's Rail inhabits dense lowland tropical forests, particularly areas with thick understory vegetation near streams, swamps, and forest edges. The species prefers primary and mature secondary forests with abundant leaf litter and dense ground cover, typically below 500 meters elevation across Indonesia's major islands.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Schlegel's Rail classified as Vulnerable?
Schlegel's 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. Schlegel's Rail faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in Indonesia's lowland forests. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its ground-dwelling habits and dependence on intact forest floor ecosystems, which are being systematically cleared for palm oil plantations and rice cultivation. Hunting pressure and trapping for the illegal bird trade compound these habitat threats, while the rail's secretive nature and small population size make recovery efforts challenging.
Where does Schlegel's Rail live?
Schlegel's 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 Schlegel's Rail?
The main threats to Schlegel's 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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