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SORA  Porzana carolina 20.5–21.5cm. Fairly small migrant crake of varied

marshy habitats, from roadside ditches and extensive wetlands with tall rushes

to mangroves, lakeshores, rice fields. Often more conspicuous than other

crakes, but dashes quickly for cover when alarmed. No similar species in Costa

Rica: note short yellowish bill, black face, buffy-white wedge under tail, which

is often held cocked in a point, near-vertical. Imm. browner overall, attains

adult appearance over 1st winter. SOUNDS: Slurred, slightly nasal squealing kee-

ur, bright clipped keek, and short rolled squeal run into a descending, slow-

paced whinny, kreeh, dee-de-du-du-du..., 1.5–4 secs. STATUS: Fairly common to

uncommon Oct–Apr on both slopes; most numerous in lowlands, locally inland to 1500m. (Breeds N

America, winters to S America.)

PAINT-BILLED CRAKE  Neocrex erythrops 18–19cm. Fairly small crake of

grassy marshes, roadside ditches, rice fields, small ponds with vegetated

margins. Skulking like most crakes, but sometimes in the open at edges and can

flush fairly readily from close range. Note short yellow bill with intense red

base, overall dark plumage with barring on rear flanks and undertail coverts

(barring can be difficult to see, often mostly cloaked by wings), pinkish-red legs.

Juv. duller than adult, red bill base reduced or lacking, flank barring weaker.

SOUNDS: Song a semi-metallic, sharp clucking or yipping puik-puik..., to 10 secs

or longer, 2–4 notes/sec; quality suggests Sora; at times single sharp yips.

Agitated birds give low, throaty, purring trill, urrrr..., 3–5 secs, vaguely like a small motor; also fairly rapid

pumping series of gurgling grunts, ugh-ugh..., up to 10 secs, about 7 notes/sec, and rhythmic whining

calls. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common locally on both slopes, to 1000m. (Costa Rica to S America.)

SPOTTED RAIL  Pardirallus maculatus 25.5–28cm. Medium-size, strikingly

patterned rail of freshwater marshes and lakes with reeds, rice fields, overgrown

wet ditches. Often skulking and difficult to see, emerging mainly at dusk

along marsh edges, but at other times feeds unconcerned in open situations at

any time of day, as singles or even small groups. Size, striking plumage, and

bright bare parts distinctive. Juv. may be dimorphic: some like duller version of

adult, others dark overall, but soon attaining distinctive barring and spotting.

SOUNDS: Overslurred, rough screeching rreéah, about 0.5 sec. Varied series of

nasal pumping grunts or rough screeching clucks, often disyllabic with overall

descending cadence, 2–5 notes/sec. Agitated birds give very low, hollow, stuttering or purring chatter

suggesting a distant outboard motor, 12–15 notes/sec. STATUS: Uncommon and local (nomadic?), mainly

in nw. lowlands, on s. Pacific slope, and in Central Valley; might be found anywhere. (Mexico to S America.)

UNIFORM CRAKE  Amaurolimnas concolor 20.5–22cm. Medium-size, rather

plump-bodied crake of damp grassy thickets, Heliconia stands, humid forest

floor. Typically skulking and rarely seen, walks and runs with fairly upright

stance suggesting a tinamou; usually detected by voice. No similar species in

Costa Rica, but cf. Little Tinamou. Note short yellowish bill, overall dull rusty

plumage with no barring, bright pinkish-red legs. SOUNDS: ‘Song’ mainly early

and late in day, and at night, a series of (usually 7–20 or more) easily imitated,

upslurred whistles, each 0.5–1 sec, series at times intensifying then fading

quickly: tuuíh tuuíh...TOO’IH TOO’IH...too-ih; at a distance, only loudest

sections audible. Sharp clucking plik! when disturbed. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce on both slopes,

locally to 1200m. (Mexico to S America.)