The largest rail on the continent and one of the most vocal waterbirds of the Iberá. The face and throat are bluish-gray, the nape reddish-chestnut, the breast chestnut, the belly black and the legs a very striking red. The bill is robust and yellow-green. The forehead is feathered, without a frontal shield (unlike the coots). It measures 41 to 45 cm. Its size, combined with the habit of calling at dawn and dusk with a piercing two-note cry that echoes across the whole marsh, makes it perfectly detectable although hard to see amid the vegetation.
Behaviour
An omnivore of the wetland: the seeds of aquatic plants, insects, small frogs, snails and crabs. It walks over the water hyacinths and emergent vegetation on large feet that spread its weight. It builds its nest on aquatic plants in the heart of the reed bed.
How and when to see it
Dawn and dusk. Boat outings at dusk with a flashlight often reveal several individuals walking over the water hyacinths.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where giant wood-rail has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where giant wood-rail lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiencias con relato local y mirada cultural sobre los esteros.★ 5 - Salvaje Iberá
Senderismo, cicloturismo, safari fotográfico, avistaje de fauna, paseos largos en el día…★ 5 - Gaucho Argentino
Travesías a caballo por una red de refugios en el Iberá. Cabalgatas de varios días con…★ 5 - Iberá Spirit
Agencia de turismo especializada en los Esteros del Iberá desde hace 10 años. Paquetes…★ 5
Species profile
- Common nameGiant Wood-Rail
- Scientific nameAramides ypecaha
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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