- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Rallus
Conservation status
Species of concern in Ohio (Ohio Division of Wildlife, June 2026)
Ohio's Division of Wildlife names it as one that might become threatened in Ohio under continued or increased stress, or one it has some concern for but too little information to judge. It is not listed as endangered or threatened.
Near Lake County
Range
Where it is recorded
Season shown in 0 of Ohio's 88 counties. Its mapped range covers 36. Explore Ohio
- No result yet (42)
- Within its mapped range (21)
- Recorded, too few records for a result (22)
- Recorded, season not shown (3)
- Season shown (0)
Counties as a table
| County | Records | In mapped range |
|---|---|---|
| Adams County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Allen County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Ashland County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Ashtabula County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Athens County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Auglaize County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Belmont County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Brown County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Butler County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Carroll County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Champaign County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Clark County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Clermont County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Clinton County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Columbiana County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Coshocton County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Crawford County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Cuyahoga County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Darke County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Defiance County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Delaware County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Erie County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Fairfield County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Fayette County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Franklin County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Fulton County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Gallia County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Geauga County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Greene County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Guernsey County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Hamilton County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Hancock County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Hardin County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Harrison County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Henry County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Highland County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Hocking County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Holmes County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Huron County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Jackson County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Jefferson County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Knox County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Lake County | 24 · Recorded, season not shown | Yes: summer |
| Lawrence County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Licking County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Logan County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Lorain County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Lucas County | 50 · Recorded, season not shown | Yes: summer |
| Madison County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Mahoning County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Marion County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Medina County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Meigs County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Mercer County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Miami County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Monroe County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Montgomery County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Morgan County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Morrow County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Muskingum County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Noble County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Ottawa County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Paulding County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Perry County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Pickaway County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Pike County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Portage County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Preble County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Putnam County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Richland County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Ross County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Sandusky County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Scioto County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Seneca County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Shelby County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Stark County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Summit County | 25 · Recorded, season not shown | Yes: summer |
| Trumbull County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Tuscarawas County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Union County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Van Wert County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Vinton County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Warren County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Washington County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Wayne County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: summer |
| Williams County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Wood County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
| Wyandot County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer |
Season
When it is recorded
In Lake County
Not enough evidence
The weeks are still too uncertain to show a season. Based on 24 records in 8 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025, above the minimum of 20 records from 5 different years.
Show over the bars
Records per week from 24 records in 8 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025. Shows when people recorded it, not a season or how common it is.
Show as a table
| Week | Records of Virginia Rail | Years recorded | Records of all species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| Jan 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Jan 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 52 |
| Jan 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 82 |
| Feb 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 58 |
| Feb 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 89 |
| Feb 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| Feb 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| Mar 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| Mar 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 155 |
| Mar 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 190 |
| Mar 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 166 |
| Mar 29 – Apr 4 | 0 | 0 | 234 |
| Apr 5–11 | 0 | 0 | 425 |
| Apr 12–18 | 1 | 1 | 525 |
| Apr 19–25 | 1 | 1 | 522 |
| Apr 26 – May 2 | 3 | 1 | 844 |
| May 3–9 | 2 | 1 | 1,247 |
| May 10–16 | 3 | 2 | 647 |
| May 17–23 | 4 | 3 | 950 |
| May 24–30 | 2 | 2 | 1,067 |
| May 31 – Jun 6 | 0 | 0 | 1,073 |
| Jun 7–13 | 0 | 0 | 1,320 |
| Jun 14–20 | 0 | 0 | 1,088 |
| Jun 21–27 | 0 | 0 | 1,052 |
| Jun 28 – Jul 4 | 0 | 0 | 1,305 |
| Jul 5–11 | 1 | 1 | 1,359 |
| Jul 12–18 | 3 | 1 | 1,171 |
| Jul 19–25 | 0 | 0 | 1,056 |
| Jul 26 – Aug 1 | 0 | 0 | 1,193 |
| Aug 2–8 | 0 | 0 | 1,090 |
| Aug 9–15 | 0 | 0 | 745 |
| Aug 16–22 | 0 | 0 | 1,084 |
| Aug 23–29 | 0 | 0 | 847 |
| Aug 30 – Sep 5 | 0 | 0 | 699 |
| Sep 6–12 | 0 | 0 | 858 |
| Sep 13–19 | 0 | 0 | 714 |
| Sep 20–26 | 0 | 0 | 739 |
| Sep 27 – Oct 3 | 0 | 0 | 731 |
| Oct 4–10 | 2 | 1 | 723 |
| Oct 11–17 | 2 | 1 | 475 |
| Oct 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 425 |
| Oct 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 371 |
| Nov 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 271 |
| Nov 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 271 |
| Nov 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 197 |
| Nov 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 182 |
| Nov 29 – Dec 5 | 0 | 0 | 81 |
| Dec 6–12 | 0 | 0 | 111 |
| Dec 13–19 | 0 | 0 | 84 |
| Dec 20–26 | 0 | 0 | 96 |
| Dec 27 – Jan 2 | 0 | 0 | 289 |
In Ohio
Not enough evidence
The weeks are still too uncertain to show a season. Based on 220 records in 10 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025, above the minimum of 20 records from 5 different years.
This week · Nov 8–14
Show over the bars
Records per week from 220 records in 10 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025. Shows when people recorded it, not a season or how common it is.
Show as a table
| Week | Records of Virginia Rail | Years recorded | Records of all species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 6,211 |
| Jan 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 5,146 |
| Jan 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 4,645 |
| Jan 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 4,698 |
| Feb 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 6,023 |
| Feb 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 5,888 |
| Feb 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 5,436 |
| Feb 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 6,846 |
| Mar 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 8,321 |
| Mar 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 10,384 |
| Mar 15–21 | 1 | 1 | 12,620 |
| Mar 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 13,949 |
| Mar 29 – Apr 4 | 1 | 1 | 19,661 |
| Apr 5–11 | 6 | 3 | 26,860 |
| Apr 12–18 | 15 | 8 | 39,925 |
| Apr 19–25 | 17 | 10 | 41,623 |
| Apr 26 – May 2 | 41 | 7 | 56,391 |
| May 3–9 | 24 | 9 | 52,952 |
| May 10–16 | 30 | 7 | 53,785 |
| May 17–23 | 20 | 5 | 57,698 |
| May 24–30 | 5 | 4 | 54,651 |
| May 31 – Jun 6 | 3 | 3 | 53,099 |
| Jun 7–13 | 4 | 3 | 53,700 |
| Jun 14–20 | 1 | 1 | 56,625 |
| Jun 21–27 | 1 | 1 | 55,361 |
| Jun 28 – Jul 4 | 4 | 3 | 58,477 |
| Jul 5–11 | 9 | 6 | 61,336 |
| Jul 12–18 | 7 | 4 | 64,722 |
| Jul 19–25 | 6 | 4 | 69,753 |
| Jul 26 – Aug 1 | 2 | 2 | 59,416 |
| Aug 2–8 | 2 | 1 | 59,712 |
| Aug 9–15 | 2 | 1 | 55,994 |
| Aug 16–22 | 1 | 1 | 54,328 |
| Aug 23–29 | 0 | 0 | 51,772 |
| Aug 30 – Sep 5 | 0 | 0 | 57,167 |
| Sep 6–12 | 1 | 1 | 59,075 |
| Sep 13–19 | 2 | 2 | 54,543 |
| Sep 20–26 | 1 | 1 | 45,860 |
| Sep 27 – Oct 3 | 0 | 0 | 43,180 |
| Oct 4–10 | 3 | 2 | 37,841 |
| Oct 11–17 | 2 | 1 | 30,824 |
| Oct 18–24 | 2 | 1 | 21,156 |
| Oct 25–31 | 1 | 1 | 19,021 |
| Nov 1–7 | 1 | 1 | 14,172 |
| Nov 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 12,621 |
| Nov 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 7,965 |
| Nov 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 8,136 |
| Nov 29 – Dec 5 | 0 | 0 | 6,083 |
| Dec 6–12 | 0 | 0 | 6,004 |
| Dec 13–19 | 0 | 0 | 5,423 |
| Dec 20–26 | 2 | 1 | 5,661 |
| Dec 27 – Jan 2 | 3 | 1 | 8,459 |
What these results show
These results show when people recorded a species, not when or where it occurs. Missing weeks and low counts do not mean absence or scarcity, and counts are not abundance. Contributed records reflect where, when and what people chose to observe.
Identification
How to identify it
Look-alikes
When
Land cover
Often confused with
- Sora Porzana carolina16 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
- King Rail Rallus elegans12 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
From iNaturalist’s similar-species counts, refreshed monthly: confusions in Ohio first, then worldwide. Only species with an Ohio result are listed.
Months not reported
- Jan: no record
- Feb: no record
- Mar: recorded
- Apr: recorded
- May: recorded
- Jun: recorded
- Jul: recorded
- Aug: recorded
- Sep: recorded
- Oct: recorded
- Nov: recorded
- Dec: recorded
Not reported in Ohio in January to February, 2016 to 2025.
Land cover where it is recorded
| Land cover | Its recordsAll Ohio records |
|---|---|
| Wetland | 44%5% |
| Developed | 25%49% |
| Farmland | 12%11% |
| Open water | 10%3% |
| Barren | 4%0.6% |
| Forest | 3%31% |
| Grassland and shrub | 2%0.9% |
From 68 records placed within 100 m, beside all Ohio records placed the same way. People record where they go, so this shows where records come from, not where the species lives. Land cover: USGS Annual NLCD, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
Sources
Where these results come from
- Records from iNaturalist research-grade observations and expert-identified GBIF datasets, CC0, CC BY and CC BY-NC. Sources
- Seasons use the published method and its evidence thresholds. Methods
- See it on iNaturalist (opens in a new tab)OpenPhenology is independent and not affiliated with iNaturalist.
Records behind the Ohio result
220 records from 1 dataset.
- iNaturalist Research-grade Observations (opens in a new tab) · iNaturalist.org · 220 recordsiNaturalist contributors, iNaturalist (2026). iNaturalist Research-grade Observations. iNaturalist.org. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ab3s5x accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-11-13.
To cite: the GBIF download doi:10.15468/dl.y2jkt8 (opens in a new tab).
A spreadsheet (CSV) with a link to each record, on iNaturalist or GBIF. Records whose location was hidden by the observer or the source are counted but not linked.