A Rather Rare Rouget's Rail
Rouget's Rail (Rougetia rougetii) is only found in Eritea and Ethiopia, and I used the title rather rare because I liked the alliteration but IUCN class them as near-threatened. They prefer marshy ground but also occur in drier habitats, but always above 1500m altitude. One chick was seen accompanied by several adults which suggests cooperative breeding but this is likely to be unpaired offspring from previous broods helping their parents raise young. Their name and scientific names commemorate a 19th Century French explorer who collected in Ethiopia. I photographed this one in Gaysay grasslands in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains.
A Rather Rare Rouget's Rail
Rouget's Rail (Rougetia rougetii) is only found in Eritea and Ethiopia, and I used the title rather rare because I liked the alliteration but IUCN class them as near-threatened. They prefer marshy ground but also occur in drier habitats, but always above 1500m altitude. One chick was seen accompanied by several adults which suggests cooperative breeding but this is likely to be unpaired offspring from previous broods helping their parents raise young. Their name and scientific names commemorate a 19th Century French explorer who collected in Ethiopia. I photographed this one in Gaysay grasslands in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains.