Aztec Rail
(Rallus tenuirostris) Rails, Gallinules and Allies (Rallidae)
Tyndnæbbet Klapperrikse Rascón Azteca
2322 (6 photos) 2016-02-11 Presa La Vega, west of Gdl, Jalisco (Jal), Mexico
Adult. Rather common around La Vega. Recently split from King Rail, but visually and sound wise it has not been defined how it is separated from Ridgway's Rail which in Mexico is present at coastal localities all the way south to Colima - at least. Traditionally the two have been separated namely on choice of habitat, Ridgway's prefering saltmarshes with higher salinity and Aztec brackish or fresh water habitat. Personally I think that this simple rule to separate the two is problematic, especially in the area where the two are very close - the coastal areas of Nayarit to Colima.
Endemic
2323 (6 photos) 2016-02-11 Presa La Vega, west of Gdl, Jalisco (Jal), Mexico
Adult. Other than 2322. Both these birds look very reddish compared to photos of other birds, even if considering the warm afternoon light. Don't know if it is because of natural variation or is related to species/subspecies.
Endemic
2526 (3 photos) 2017-09-10 Laguna de Magdalena, Jalisco (Jal), Mexico
1cy bird. Dead. Found like this. The only rail of this type in the area. Judging that it is a bird in formative plumage being too pale and rufous-brown to be a juvenile. It has the ground colors of an adult but lacks the streaking on the flank and rear party. Also the tip to the lower mandible is broadly dark and it has an extensive pale throat, also supporting a young individual.
Dead, Endemic
2943 (11 photos) 2019-03-02 Presa La Vega, west of Gdl, Jalisco (Jal), Mexico
Young bird with beginning orange coloration to cheek and neck. Also no marked barring on the rear flank. Still only separated from Ridgway's Rail by habitat type. This bird came out after playback. Another was calling farther away.
Seen at Vías Verdes in the north end of the lake.