(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
OTHER COMMON NAMES - RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED;RAIL, LIGHT-FOOTED; HEN, MARSH, SALT-WATER; HEN and MARSH; PALMOTEADOR
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - GRUIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - RALLIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - RALLUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - LONGIROSTRIS, LEVIPES
SCIENTIFIC NAME - RALLUS LONGIROSTRIS LEVIPES
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Light-footed Clapper Rail
Rallus longirostris levipes Bangs, 1899
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Gruiformes FAMILY: Rallidae
The light-footed clapper rail is a chicken-like bird with a long
and slightly decurved bill, long legs and long-toed feet. Plumage
colors are tones of brown, cinnamon and buffy white. The upper parts
are olive brown, broadly striped with blackish brown, extending down
over the sides of the neck and meeting the color of the breast and
belly sharply. Flanks and lower belly are broadly barred brown and
white, breast cinnamon, throat whitish, superciliary streak buffy,
head brownish gray (04). The bill is orange-yellow at the base, the
rest brown; the legs and feet are brownish gray (24). Males are
larger than females, with wings, tails and tarsi all showing size
differences (19,24,34). Males weigh more than females; adult males
weigh 400 g or more, females less than 350 g (19,34). The downy
chicks are black (19,34).
The taxonomic status of clapper rails is a matter of some debate.
When first described, the light-footed clapper rail was considered a
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
king rail (Rallus elegans) (11). Later it was listed as a California
clapper rail, which at that time was designated as a full species (R.
obsoletus) (05). In 1899 Bangs decided that it merited the status of
a distinct species and named it R. levipes (04). It remained thus
classified until van Rossem revised the taxonomy in 1929 and the
Pacific Coast clapper rails were designated as races of one species
(28). The light-footed rail became R. obsoletus levipes. Later,
Oberholser lumped all North American clapper rails into one species,
and the name of this subspecies became R. longirostris levipes (23).
No important changes in the taxonomy of levipes have occurred since
Oberholser, but there is still question about the southern limits of
the bird's range, and its relationship to the races in Baja California
(31).
There are two other recognized subspecies of clapper rails in
California; obsoletus in the San Francisco Bay region, and yumanensis
along the lower Colorado River (01,24). There is no disagreement as
to the northern limits of levipes range, or any confusion with
obsoletus; but there are questions about the southern limit and
whether there are one or two additional subspecies in Baja California.
The American Ornithologists Union delineated three subspecies in
Baja - levipes in Ensenada, magdalenae in San Quintin Bay and south to
Magdalena Bay, and beldingi on the tip, on the gulf side (01). Ripley
eliminated magdalenae as a subspecies, and found intergrading between
levipes and beldingi at Scammon's Lagoon and San Ignacio (24).
Further study is needed.
In both size and coloration the light-footed clapper rail more
closely resembles the king rail (Rallus elegans) than it does the
eastern subspecies of clapper rails (19,34). Their vocalizations are
also very similar, particularly the advertising calls of both males
and females (19,34). In areas on the east and gulf coasts where the
king rail is sympatric with clapper rails, some hybridization has been
documented (22); Ripley considers the king rail to be a subspecies of
the clapper rail and calls it R. longirostris elegans (24). Thus
there is considerable question whether R. longirostris and R. elegans
are two distinct species (and if so whether the coastal California
clapper rails are really king rails), or whether all the above are
geographic variants of a single species.
The type specimen, described by Bangs in 1899 (04) is in the
Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History and the San
Diego Natural History Museum have good study collections of skins.
A complete description of the California clapper rail (R. l.
obsoletus) and full details as to how levipes differs from it is given
by Ripley (24). Other descriptions were given by Bangs (04), Grinnell
(10), and van Rosem (28). Common name synonyms include, light-footed
rail, salt-water marsh hen, marsh hen, and in Mexico the palmoteador.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Federal Migratory
Non-consumptive recreational
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The light-footed clapper rail is listed as Endangered pursuant to
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR 17.11). The
species has possible occurrence in Los Angeles County and is presently
known from Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties, CA,
but is protected wherever found. It is also Federally listed as
Endangered in Mexico (Baja California). The light-footed clapper
rail is included in the listing of the clapper rail (Rallus
longirostris) in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 703-712 and 50
CFR 10.13).
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.), which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
is responsible for the management/recovery, listing and law
enforcement protection of this species. The Department of
Defense (DOD) has responsibility for cooperation in the
management and protection of the species where it occurs on
DOD lands.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: California
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: California Department of Fish and Game
STATE STATUTE: California Endangered Species Act; Fish and Game
Code, Chapter 1.5, Article 1, Sec. 2050.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The light-footed clapper rail is included in the IUCN Red Data
Book as an Endangered species. Rallus longirostris (the Palmoteador)
is listed as Appendix I in Mexico's "Especies de Fauna en Peligro de
Extincion en Mexico" (Reyes; August 1982). The subspecies is also
listed by the U.S. in the Convention on Nature Protection and
Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere Annex (1970).
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The light-footed clapper rail is a rare species sought by
birdwatchers.
70/08/25:35 FR 13519/13520 - Proposed rule, add to U.S. list
70/10/13:35 FR 16047/ - Listed as Endangered
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
TERRESTRIAL
INLAND AQUATIC
COASTAL
LAND USE -
Industrial
Transportation, communications, and Util
Mixed Urban or Built-up Land
Bays and Estuaries
Nonforested Wetland
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Palustrine FL3
Palustrine EM1
Palustrine EM
Palustrine
Estuarine, intertidal SB3
Estuarine, intertidal SB2
Estuarine, intertidal FL3
Estuarine, intertidal FL2
Estuarine, intertidal EM1
Estuarine, intertidal
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Coastal salt marshes, lagoons and their maritime environs are the
preferred (and almost exclusive) habitat of the light-footed clapper
rail (21,30,37,39). The birds nest in marsh vegetation (both
freshwater and salt marsh plants) and forage in the marsh vegetation,
on mudflats, in the waters of the marshes and occasionally in the
maritime zone (17,19,34).
In salt marshes, the rails nest preferentially in cordgrass
(Spartina foliosa), in tall, dense stands (16,20,21). They also
build nests in dense pickleweed (Salicornia virginica) (06,21), and
can nest successfully in marshes like Carpinteria where there is no
cordgrass but very thick pickleweed (21).
Freshwater marsh vegetation is also used for nesting. Many nests
have been found recently in Scirpus spp. and Typha spp. in freshwater
seeps along the edges of salt marshes (21). There are several
anecdotal accounts of nests in freshwater marsh vegetation early in
the century (06,33), indicating that the rails have long found reeds
suitable as nest sites, even when salt marsh vegetation was much more
plentiful. The rails also nest in totally freshwater marshes, e.g.
San Joaquin Reserve on San Diego Creek in Orange County (39). The
farthest inland nesting habitat thus far documented is Guajome Lake
Marsh, along the San Luis Rey River, about 12.5 km from its mouth (19,
34,39).
In coastal salt marshes, mudflats are the primary foraging
habitat of the rails, and the invertebrates of the intertidal zone are
their main food (16,20). They are, however, opportunistic feeders and
can survive (and breed) in freshwater marshes where their food is
obviously not intertidal invertebrates. In salt marshes, they have
been observed eating a large variety of foods (20); there are no data
on freshwater marsh foraging.
Habitat Associations - 1 The most productive habitat at this time for light-footed clapper
rails in southern California is in Upper Newport Bay, where half the
state's population is in residence (35,39). The bay has large stands
of tall, dense cordgrass; a good diversity of salt marsh plants in the
middle and upper marsh including Salicornia virginica, Suaeda
californica, Batis maritima, Jaumea carnosa, Frankenia grandifolia and
Triglochin maritimum (20,27); a strong tidal influence; extensive
mudflats and stretches of open water; and many stands of reeds and
cattails dotted along the edges (20).
Destruction of coastal wetlands in southern California has been
so extensive that many estuaries where light-footed clapper rails were
once abundant have been reduced to remnants. San Diego Bay once had
996 ha of salt marsh and now has 146 ha, Mission Bay, is reduced to
8.5 ha from 972 ha, and the Los Angeles-Long Beach wetlands which once
covered 2753 ha are now a remnant 28.3 ha (17).
Progress has been made in the past 12 years in preserving the
remaining wetlands, largely due to the policies and protective efforts
of the California Coastal Commission. The future of the light-footed
clapper rail and other salt marsh dependent fauna depends on continued
preservation and restoration of coastal wetlands (37).
Rail habitat is adjacent to urban industrial areas (or mixed
development), roads and highways (See field N-OCCURRENCE for details).
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Vascular Plants-Emergent Nonwoody
General Worms
General Fish
General Amphibia
General Mammalia
General Carrion
General Arthropods
General Crustaceans
General Molluscs
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Aquatic Features: Springs [flowing]
G Coastal Wetlands: Mangrove swamps
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Light-footed clapper rails (Rallus longirostris levipes) forage
in all parts of the saltmarsh, concentrating their efforts in low
marsh when the tide is out, and moving into higher marsh as the tide
advances (19,34). The vegetation-mudflat interface and the mud banks
of tidal creeks are favored foraging niches. They spend a lot of time
foraging in cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) where they cannot be
observed, but when visible are usually probing in mud or picking small
edibles from the bases of stems (19,34).
Crabs are a favored food. Crab burrows are present in heavy
concentrations in creek banks, a favorite foraging area. The striped
shore crab (Pachygrapsis crassipes) and the mud crab (Hemigrapsis
oregonensis) are favored foods, as evidenced by observations and
analysis of regurgitated pellets (16,20). The third species of salt
marsh crab (Uca crenulata), the fiddler, was very uncommon in pellets
(16).
The rails are omnivorous and opportunistic foragers, and have
been observed eating insects, isopods, tadpoles (Hyla sp.), California
killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis), crayfish (Pacifastacus sp.), garden
snails (Helix sp.) (20), and dead mullet (Mugil cephalus). California
meadow mice (Microtus californicus) are also believed to be prey (18).
Birds ingest some vegetable matter including broken spartina stems and
Salicornia tips (18).
In analyses of regurgitated pellets, the most common remains were
California hornsnails (Cerithidea californica), salt marsh snails
(Melampus olivaceus), and crabs (see above) (16,20). Crayfish,
beetles, isopods and decapods were also encountered. Pellets,
however, give biased food samples, as only hard shell fragments and
carapaces withstand digestion and appear in the pellets.
The basic diet of the light-footed clapper rail appears to be the
vast invertebrate population of the tidal mudflat. However, no
systematic study of foods and foraging (except for pellet analysis)
has been done, and the above information is based on field
observations and anecdotal accounts. The question of what the rails
eat in freshwater marshes has not been systematically explored.
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Light-footed clapper rails are (generally) sedentary marsh
residents and maintain territories year round (40). Banding studies
in Upper Newport Bay have shown that once established in a territory,
pairs stay together throughout the year and from year to year (40).
It is probable that they maintain the same territories throughout
their lives, unless the habitat is damaged or destroyed (19,34).
The entire territory is defended during the breeding season.
Males, in particular, give immediate chase to intruders of the same
species. Outside of the breeding season the size of the territory
does not change (in terms of a foraging home range) but defense is
less intense. Rails from adjacent territories sometimes invade their
neighbors' space; 3-5 birds have been seen foraging in the same
territory without incident (19,34).
Territories vary in size depending on the quality of the habitat.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
In Upper Newport Bay, where the habitat appears to be optimal, home
ranges cover from 0.4 to 2.43 ha. These data have been obtained by
following the movements of radio-collared birds (40). The estimated
amount of saltmarsh in the bay is 100 ha (35), the rail population has
been as high as 112 pairs (1983 & 1984) (39), and thus the mean
territory size could be computed at 0.9 ha. In Anaheim Bay where
habitat is far from optimal, there have not been more than 30 pairs
documented since 1980 (39) in a marsh that covers 226 ha (35). Thus
a territory there could cover as much as 7.5 ha.
PERIODICITY:
Strong peaks of activity are observed in the three hours after
daylight and the comparable period before dark (40). Foraging
activity is greatest in the early morning, while vocalizing shows a
strong peak just before dark.
Activities are also tide-dependent. During periods of very high
tide whatever the time of day, the rails roost in favorite spots in
high marsh (40). Bathing is often observed in late day, but is also
tide-dependent (40).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The light-footed clapper rail is non-migratory. Once established
on a territory, the birds stay throughout the year and from year to
year (40).
Local wandering, however, has been documented, with sightings of
rails in winter, sometimes far inland. Whittier Narrows, 32 km from
the coast, and Walnut Canyon Reservoir (Nohl Ranch Lake), 23 km from
the coast, are the farthest inland sites documented thus far (19,34).
The most probable explanation for winter dispersal is that young birds
must seek their own territories, once the family unit breaks up at the
end of the breeding season.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Light-footed clapper rails are reclusive birds that prefer
running to flying, and spend much of their time hidden in marsh
vegetation. They are seldom seen by the uninitiated and seldom
venture far from vegetation, even when foraging on mudflats (16,19,
34). Cordgrass is their preferred plant for nesting, and the low
littoral zone where cordgrass is dominant is the preferred foraging
site (16,19,34). Nests built in cordgrass are covered by a canopy of
living stems; in marshes (e.g. Anaheim Bay) where the cordgrass is not
tall or dense enough for canopies, the rails often build nests in
tumbleweeds that have lodged far out in the low marsh in cordgrass.
These provide essential cover for the nest (21).
The rails also inhabit marshes that are devoid of cordgrass;
pickleweed appears to be an acceptable substitute, if other conditions
are suitable (21). The rails can also live in strictly freshwater
marsh vegetation (Scirpus spp. and Typha spp.). In 1982, 22% of the
population in California was nesting in freshwater marsh vegetation
(21).
The smallest marsh in which rails have been found nesting is at
"F" Street in San Diego County, a 3 ha remnant of pickleweed marsh
with a tidal inlet where a single pair usually breeds (39).
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Nests are always built in (or on) marsh vegetation. The
preferred plant is cordgrass and the preferred location is in the low
littoral zone, where the cordgrass grows densely (16,20,21). The nest
is made from dead cordgrass stems densely interwoven and built up on a
platform as high as 35 cm before the nest cup is made. The nest is
attached to live cordgrass stems and floats upward as the tide rises.
There is often a ramp leading from the nest to the mud substrate; it
is also constructed from cordgrass stems. A canopy of living stems is
pulled over, and entwined above the nest, providing cover from above
(20,21). Jorgensen found that tall (>60 cm) dense stands of cordgrass
were strongly selected over both short cordgrass and other types of
plants (16).
Rarely, a nest is built out in the open, on a mass of wrack. The
rails blend well with the brown wrack and are apparently protected by
their cryptic coloration (19,34). The eggs, however, are white, and
are easily seen from above if unattended.
Nests are also built in pickleweed (S. virginica) with cordgrass
stems as the main building material if available. If cordgrass is not
available, stems and branches of pickleweed and other marsh plants are
used (21). Nests in freshwater reeds are on the ground, with dead
reed stems used as building material. The reeds form a dense natural
canopy above the nest (21).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The breeding season begins as early as mid-February, when the
"kek" call of the unmated male is heard in the marsh in late afternoon
(19,34). The breeding season is usually over by late August, but
downy chicks have occasionally been seen as late as mid-October (19).
Pairs have been observed copulating in mid-March (19,34). The
earliest documented date for egg laying is 18 March (19), the latest
7 July (16), but these dates represent only what has been found on
nest searches. The early date is probably quite accurate, the late
date is probably not.
The pair bond endures throughout the season, and often from year
to year. If a female loses her mate during the breeding season, she
advertises for a new mate with a special call (38). On one occasion
a female who had lost her mate was observed to have attracted the male
from an adjacent territory, at least temporarily (38). It is assumed
that a male will begin "keking" if his mate dies.
Clutch size is variable. Data pooled from three marshes showed
mean clutch sizes in three seasons of 5.83, 6.55, and 7.07 eggs. The
range was 4-9 eggs. Total number of clutches was 72 (21). Egg sets
from the "Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology", collected
earlier in the century showed a larger range, from 3-11 eggs, with a
mean of 7.0. The number of clutches was 148 (20).
The eggs are white. Average weight of 57 eggs from two marshes
was 22.5 g; average measurements were 4.46 cm x 3.11 cm (20).
The incubation period was verified at three nests in 1980, and
was between 21 and 22 days; at two others where the clutch was already
complete when the nest was found, hatching occurred 23 to 25 days
later (20). For R. l. obsoletus in San Francisco Bay, the incubation
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
period has been given as 24-29 days (03), 23 days (13) and 23-27 days
(41).
The chicks all hatch within a 24 hour period, and leave the nest
with their parents within a few hours after the down dries. Any
unhatched eggs are abondoned (20). If a pair loses a clutch of eggs
they will renest (12,20). It is assumed that renesting occurs after
the loss of young chicks as well. Whether multiple broods are raised
in a single nesting season is still not known. There is time (if the
first clutch is laid early in the spring), but the total period of
time required to breed is at least 9-10 weeks, and the drive to begin
breeding again may not survive such a long period.
PARENTAL CARE:
The chicks are precocial in terms of their mobility. As soon as
they are dry after hatching they are out of the nest and into the
marsh (19,34). The family forages in the marsh, and the parents feed
the chicks. The parents build one or more brood nests for night
roosting (12,20). These brood nests are constructed right after the
chicks hatch and are similar to the egg nest but lack a canopy. They
are usually within a few meters of the egg nest (which is also used
for night roosting) but have been found up to 50 m away (20). Both
parents feed and guard the chicks, but the extent to which they share
these duties is not known. It is not known at what age the chicks are
independent and can feed themselves. Adults have been observed
feeding youngsters known to have hatched approximately 6 weeks
previously (19,34).
Many aspects of parental care are unknown, as the rails are very
secretive, particularly after the chicks hatch. Telemetry has not
been attempted during the breeding season; only by telemetry will more
be learned about this phase of the rail's breeding biology.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
An increase in the population of light-footed clapper rails is
limited by several factors, the most important being a dearth of
suitable marsh habitat (17,18,37,39). There are 19 marshes in coastal
southern California that currently support populations of 1-112
breeding pairs (39), and another 10-15 with marginal habitat which
rails could inhabit if restoration were to be done (18). The 19
marshes now in use range in size from 3-400 ha. Some appear to be at
carrying capacity (Upper Newport Bay), others should have many more
pairs (Anaheim Bay) (19,34). A major goal of the Recovery Plan is to
preserve, restore and/or create 4000 ha of suitable wetland habitat
(18); there are now only about 1200 ha of quality habitat to support
clapper rail populations (39).
Natural catastrophes like heavy winter storms have serious
adverse impacts on saltmarshes (21).
Predation by hawks and owls on both juveniles and adults is
another limiting factor. Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) (07)
and short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) (14) are known predators on
Califronia clapper rails. In Upper Newport Bay, the remains of 5
young clapper rails were found in a month's time under one perch in
the fall of 1982; hawks/owls were the major suspects (19). The
killing of an adult male clapper rail by a red-tailed hawk was
Life History - 4 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
observed in Upper Newport Bay (38).
Some aspects of population biology are still unknown,
particularly population dynamics (mortality rate, longevity, recovery
potential, sex ratio, etc.).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The light-footed clapper rail has a close association with
cordgrass (Spartina foliosa), the dominant species of the low littoral
zone. It is the rail's preferred nesting and foraging habitat. There
is a dearth of tall, dense stands of cordgrass in Anaheim Bay and Mugu
Lagoon, the two largest salt marshes in southern California. Their
extremely small rail populations are directly correlated with this
dearth of Spartina (19,34).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 5 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial
Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Creating Artificial Habitat/Nesting Structure
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Native Vertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Feral Animals
Adverse Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Existing Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Adverse Sport Hunting/Fishing
Existing Sport Hunting/Fishing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Food Supply Reduction
Existing Food Supply Reduction
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Gas/Oil Development
Existing Gas/Oil Development
Adverse Siltation
Existing Siltation
Adverse Salinity alteration
Existing Salinity alteration
Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Existing Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Adverse Strip mining
Existing Strip mining
Adverse Water Level Fluctuation
Existing Water Level Fluctuation
Adverse Flooding
Existing Flooding
Adverse Reservoirs
Existing Reservoirs
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation
Existing Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Existing Shoreline modification/development
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
By 1915 ornithologists were begining to notice the scarcity of
light-footed clapper rails in southern California. Willett (33) and
Grinnell (09) noted the decline, and by 1919 several biologists felt
the bird was almost completely gone from Santa Barbara and San Diego
Counties (10.26). Early losses were attributed to overshooting (meat
hunters) and possibly cattle grazing in marsh areas (06), but major
losses were occurring because of destruction of habitat. One area
where there were a dozen nests one year was buried under several feet
of dredged mud and sand the next year (08); another had an oil derrick
where rails had nested two years previously (17). Dredging and
filling, marina and highway development and similar construction for
various reasons have continued at an accelerated rate until only about
3441 ha of saltmarsh now remains between Santa Barbara and the Mexican
border, an area that at one time had an estimated 10,256 ha of
wetlands (17). Particularly hard hit were several areas known to have
supported large populations of light-footed clapper rails: San Diego
Bay, Mission Bay and the Los Angeles - Long Beach area (17). Because
this species is dependent on the coastal salt marsh, entire local
populations have been extirpated. In 1972-73 the first census of the
rail in southern California was conducted, and the population was
estimated at about 500 pairs (30). In 1981 only 203 pairs could be
found (35), and the highest count through 1984 was 277 pairs (39). In
1985 the count was 142 pairs.
Severe storms and excessive runoff affect rail habitat adversely,
as happened in Upper Newport Bay in 1980. Major freshwater intrusion,
extensive sedimentation, and increased mobility of pollutants are
hypothesized as affecting invertebrate populations and destroying some
clapper rail food resources there (21,25,29).
Flooding is a recurrent problem in lagoons in San Diego County
where the ocean entrances are not patent (37). Winter storms have
made lakes out of salt marshes rendering them useless for nesting, as
at Los Penasquitos in 1977 (19) and Tijuana Marsh (15).
Predation is a problem in some marshes, limiting the number of
secure nest sites (21). The birds are often faced with a choice of
nesting in predator-accessible sites that are safe from flooding, or
predator-free sites out in the low marsh where nests flood out during
high tides (21). Predation by hawks and owls on both juveniles and
adults is a limiting factor. Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis)
(07) and short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) (14) are known predators on
Califronia clapper rails. In Upper Newport Bay, the remains of 5
young clapper rails were found in a month's time under one perch in
the fall of 1982; hawks/owls were the major suspects (19). The
killing of an adult male clapper rail by a red-tailed hawk was
observed in Upper Newport Bay (38).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Recovery Plan for the
Light-footed Clapper Rail. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland,
OR. 121 pp.
The primary objective for recovering the light-footed clapper
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
rail is to increase the breeding population in California to at least
800 pairs. This will be accomplished by preserving, restoring and/or
creating about 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres) of protected, marsh
managed wetland habitat, of which at least 50 percent of the marshes
must have habitat suitable for the light-footed clapper rail in at
least 20 marsh complexes. Upon attaining this quantitative goal
(subject to results of future research), the subspecies may be
considered for downlisting to Threatened.
The following activities must be completed in order to attain the
above recovery objective:
1. Manage habitat to preserve and/or to enhance protected marshes at
identified California locations and unprotected habitats at other
California locations and in Mexico.
2. Preserve and manage habitat to reestablish former habitat
conditions at various marshes.
3. Control pollution, pesticides, predators (especially pets and
feral animals, and native vertebrates), and human disturbance
(such as off-road vehicle use and hiking). Remove exotic
vegetation and improve or restore tidal actions (altering water
flow and salinity). Create nesting hammocks, low marsh, and
fresh water marsh.
4. Determine factors which limit rail populations and dispersal of
Spartina foliosa, population dynamics, breeding biology, habitat
utilization, foraging habits, and rate of growth.
5. Assess the effects of rail management and determine the current
status by monitoring and evaluating populations and habitat
trends both in California and Mexico.
6. Maintain maps and descriptions of essential habitat.
7. Establish a public information and education program.
8. Enforce existing laws and regulations to protect the species and
its habitat.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 American Ornithologists Union. 1957. Check-list of North American
birds, 5th ed. 691 pp.
02 American Ornithologists Union. 1983. Check-list of North American
birds, 6th ed. 877 pp.
03 Applegarth, J.H. 1938. The ecology of the California clapper rail
on the south arm of San Francisco Bay. M.S. thesis, Stanford Univ.
04 Bangs, O. 1899. A new rail from Southern California. Proc. New
Eng. Zool. Club 1:45-46.
05 Belding, L. 1883. Catalogue of a collection of birds made at
various points along the western coast of Lower California, north
of Cape St. Eugenio. Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus. 5:527-532.
06 Bent, A.C. 1926. Life histories of North American marsh birds.
U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 135. 502 pp.
07 DeGroot, D.S. 1927. The California clapper rail: its nesting
habits, enemies and habitat. Condor 29:259-270.
08 Edwards, H.A. 1922. Some notes on the light-footed rail.
Oologist 39:60-61.
09 Grinnell, J. 1915. A distributional list of the birds of
California. Pac. Coast Avifauna 11.
10 Grinnell, J., H.C. Bryant, and T.I. Storer. 1918. The game birds
of California. Univ. of California Press, Berkeley.
11 Henshaw, H.W. 1896. Report on the ornithology of the portions of
California visited during the field season of 1895. Annual Report,
Geographic Survey west of the 100th Meridian. Appendix H8 of
Appendix JJ, Pp. 224-278.
12 Johnson, R.W. 1973. Observations on the ecology and management of
the northern clapper rail, Rallus longirostris crepitans Gmelin in
Nassau County, New York. Ph.D. diss., Cornell Univ., New York.
223 pp.
13 Johnston, R.F. 1956. The incubation period of the clapper rail.
Condor 58:166.
14 Johnston, R.F. 1956. Predation by short-eared owls on a
salicornia salt marsh. Wilson Bull. 68:91-102.
15 Jorgensen, Paul D. 1985. Personal communication. Calif. Dept.
Parks and Recreation, 3990 Old Town Ave., Suite 300-C, San Diego,
CA 92110.
16 Jorgensen, P.D. 1975. Habitat preference of the light-footed
clapper rail in Tijuana Marsh, California. M.S. thesis, San Diego
State Univ. 115 pp.
17 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1979. Light-footed Clapper Rail
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR.
18 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Light-footed Clapper Rail
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, CA.
121 pp.
19 Massey, Barbara W. Field notes. 1825 Knowville Ave, Long Beach,
CA 90815.
20 Massey, B.W. and R. Zembal. 1980. A comparative study of the
light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes) populations
in Anaheim Bay and Upper Newport Bay, Orange County, California.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825.
21 Massey, B.W., R. Zembal, and P.D. Jorgensen. 1984. Nesting
habitat of the light-footed clapper rail in southern California.
J. Field Ornithol. 55:67-80.
22 Meanley, B. 1969. Natural history of the king rail. U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, North American Fauna 67.
23 Oberholser, H.C. 1937. A revision of the clapper rails (Rallus
longirostris Boddaert). Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus. 84:313-354.
24 Ripley, S.D. 1977. Rails of the World. David r. Godine, Boston,
Mass.
25 Seapy, R.R. 1981. Structure, distribution, and seasonal dynamics
of the benthic community in Upper Newport Bay, California. Marine
Resources Tech. Rep. #46. (Available from: Cal. Dept. Fish Game,
Sacramento, CA.)
26 Stephens, F. 1919. An annotated list of the birds of San Diego
County, California. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. 3:1-40.
27 Vogl, R.J. 1966. Saltmarsh vegetation of Upper Newport Bay,
California. Ecology 47:80-87.
28 van Rossem, A.J. 1929. The status of some Pacific Coast clapper
rails. Condor 31:213-215.
29 Wahl, K.L., J.R. Crippen, and J.M. Knott. 1980. Floods of January
and February 1980 in California. USGS, Open-file Report 80-1005.
Menlo Park, CA.
30 Wilbur, S. 1974. The status of the light-footed clapper rail.
Amer. Birds 28:868-870.
31 Wilbur, S. and R.E. Tomlinson. 1976. The literature of the
western clapper rails. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Sci.
Rep. No. 194. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Washington, D.C.
32 Willett, G. 1906. The southern California clapper rail breeding
on freshwater. Condor 8:151.
33 Willett, G. 1912. Birds of the pacific slope of southern
California. Pac. Coast Avifauna 7. 122 pp.
34 Zembal, R. Field notes. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 24000 '
Avila Rd., Laguna Niquel, CA 92677.
35 Zembal, R. and B.W. Massey. 1981. A census of the light-footed
clapper rail in California. Western Birds 12:89-99.
36 Zembal, R. and B.W. Massey. 1983. To catch a clapper
rail - twice. N. Amer. Bird Bander 8:144-148.
37 Zembal, R. and B.W. Massey. 1983. The light-footed clapper rail:
Distribution, nesting strategies, and management. Cal-Neva
Wildlife Trans. 1983:97-103.
38 Zembal, R. and B.W. Massey. In press. Function of a rail
"mystery" call. Auk.
39 Zembal, R. and B.W. Massey. In press. Distribution of the
light-footed clapper rail in California, 1980-1984. Amer. Birds.
40 Zembal, R., B.W. Massey, J. Fancher, and C. Wilcox. In prep.
Movements and activity patterns of the light-footed clapper rail.
41 Zucca, J.J. 1954. A study of the California clapper rail.
Wasman J. Biol. 12:135-153.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species RAIL, CLAPPER, LIGHT-FOOTED
Species Id ESIS101006
Date 14 MAR 96
01 American Ornithologists Union. 1957. Check-list of North American
birds, 5th ed. 691 pp.
02 Bent, A.C. 1926. Life histories of North American marsh birds.
U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 135. 502 pp.
03 Grinnell, J., H.C. Bryant, and T.I. Storer. 1918. The game birds
of California. Univ. of California Press, Berkeley.
04 Grinnell, J. and A.H. Miller. 1944. The distribution of the birds
of California. Pacif. Coast Avifauna 27.
05 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Light-footed Clapper Rail
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Sacramento, CA. 121 pp.
06 Massey, Barbara W. Field notes. 1825 Knowville Ave, Long Beach,
CA 90815.
07 Wilbur, S. 1974. The status of the light-footed clapper rail.
Amer. Birds 28:868-870.
08 Wilbur, S., P.D. Jorgensen, B.W. Massey, and V.A. Basham. 1979.
The light-footed clapper rail: An update. Amer. Birds 33:251.
09 Wilbur, S. and R.E. Tomlinson. 1976. The literature of the
western clapper rails. U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv. Special Sci. Rep.
No. 194. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Washington, D.C.
10 Zembal, Richard. Field notes. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
24000 Avila Rd., Laguna Niquel, CA 92677.
11 Zembal, R. and B.W. Massey. 1981. A census of the light-footed
clapper rail in California. Western Birds 12:87-99.
12 Zembal, R. and B.W. Massey. In press. Distribution of the
light-footed clapper rail in California, 1980-1984. Amer. Birds.
References - 3