Rallus aquaticus; Print; The water rail (Rallus aquaticus) is a bird of the rail family which breeds in well-vegetated wetlands across Europe; Asia and North Africa. Northern and eastern populations are migratory; but this species is a permanent resident in the warmer parts of its breeding range. The adult is 23-28 cm (9-11 in) long; and; like other rails; has a body that is flattened laterally; allowing it easier passage through the reed beds it inhabits. It has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts; black barring on the flanks; long toes; a short tail and a long reddish bill. Immature birds are generally similar in appearance to the adults; but the blue-grey in the plumage is replaced by buff. The downy chicks are black; as with all rails. The former subspecies R. indicus; has distinctive markings and a call that is very different from the pig-like squeal of the western races; and is now usually split as a separate species; the brown-cheeked rail.; 1700-1880