Gray-cowled Wood-Rail

The Gray-cowled Wood-Rail occurs patchily across lowland and foothill regions of Ecuador, favoring swampy forests, mangroves, and riparian thickets typically below 1,500 meters. It is generally uncommon and secretive, often detected by its loud, resonant calls at dawn or dusk rather than by sight, as it forages for invertebrates and small vertebrates along muddy margins. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Neotropical range and a stable population, though wetland degradation may pose localized threats. Natural history observations highlight its striking plumage, strong legs adapted for walking through dense vegetation, and loosely constructed nests placed in low shrubs or reeds, with breeding timed to coincide with the rainy season.