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Sora

Porzana carolina

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Sora, photographed by Roderick Hornby

Photo: Roderick Hornby · iNaturalist · CC-BY-NC 4.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Sora

Fairly small rail; short yellow bill, black face, and gray neck distinctive. Found in marshes with grasses or reeds; generally shy but often seen foraging at the edge of shallow water. Buffy juvenile often mistaken for much more secretive Yellow Rail; note different back pattern and the fact that if you see the bird well enough to actually note the back pattern, it is probably not a Yellow Rail. Common call is a descending high-pitched whinny; also gives a whistled "per-WEE" call somewhat like spring peeper but clearer and consistently two parted.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 55 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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