Family Rallidae

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

5 species from the family Rallidae.

Typical settings for this family#

Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
Size20–50 cm

5 species#

American Coot American CootFulica americana Common Gallinule Common GallinuleGallinula galeata Purple Gallinule Purple GallinulePorphyrio martinica Sora SoraPorzana carolina Virginia Rail Virginia RailRallus limicola

Field-craft#

  • Rails skulk in reeds — wait at a gap in the vegetation at dawn.
  • Shoot from ground level; game birds flush suddenly, so keep the shutter fast and AF in continuous mode.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources