The Sora is the most common rail in North America despite its secretive lifestyle, its descending whinny and plaintive 'ker-WEE' calls emanating from virtually every freshwater marsh in the continent. It has a short, yellow-green chicken-like bill and a black face mask. Despite being considered poor fliers, Soras migrate thousands of miles to South America each winter.
Habitat
Freshwater marshes with cattails and rushes
Diet
Seeds, aquatic invertebrates, and snails
How common
Common
Recent Sora sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Sora? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free