facts about the sora
by zteve t evans
The Sora (Porzana carolina) is a small water bird and is also called the Sora Rail, or the Sora crake and is of the family Rallidae.
Shy and secretive
It is a shy and secretive bird and its distinctive call is often heard amid the wetland marshes of its habitat but the bird is rarely seen. The Sora ranges throughout much of temperate North America having a liking for wetlands
Physical description
While breeding its plumage around the face and throat is black and it has a short yellow beak. The breast is grey, as is the nape and the under parts have black and white bars and the back is a dappled brown.
In non-breeding and immature birds the plumage is plain buff in colour and there is no black colouring to the face or throat which is white. Soras hold their tails erect while flying and walking. The Sora's body is adapted to its wetlands habitat and moves easily through the dense vegetation on land and in the water.
Habitat
Throughout its range the habitat of the Sora is mostly freshwater marsh and wetlands though it will overwinter in salt marshes. They prefer areas with plenty of cover provided by vegetation such as reeds, rushes and tall marsh plants; they also like cattail and sedge.
Although looking deceptively weak its short wings provide it with the ability to manoeuvre in flight through vegetation relatively easily. The wings also have the strength to take them on long distance migration flights as far as crossing the Gulf of Mexico and parts of the Caribbean Islands.
It is a shy and secretive bird and its distinctive call is often heard amid the wetland marshes of its habitat but the bird is rarely seen. The Sora ranges throughout much of temperate North America having a liking for wetlands
Physical description
While breeding its plumage around the face and throat is black and it has a short yellow beak. The breast is grey, as is the nape and the under parts have black and white bars and the back is a dappled brown.
In non-breeding and immature birds the plumage is plain buff in colour and there is no black colouring to the face or throat which is white. Soras hold their tails erect while flying and walking. The Sora's body is adapted to its wetlands habitat and moves easily through the dense vegetation on land and in the water.
Habitat
Throughout its range the habitat of the Sora is mostly freshwater marsh and wetlands though it will overwinter in salt marshes. They prefer areas with plenty of cover provided by vegetation such as reeds, rushes and tall marsh plants; they also like cattail and sedge.
Although looking deceptively weak its short wings provide it with the ability to manoeuvre in flight through vegetation relatively easily. The wings also have the strength to take them on long distance migration flights as far as crossing the Gulf of Mexico and parts of the Caribbean Islands.
Nesting
Nests are shallow baskets made by weaving dead vegetation around the stalks of live vegetation. Usually Soras situate the nest near or over water though they have been known to use dryer places such as willow trees or grass areas near water.
Breeding
Females lay an average clutch of 10-12 eggs though up to 18 have been known. Both parents share with incubating the eggs which take from 18-20 days. Chicks hatch at different times and are cared for by one parent while the other continues with incubating the rest of the eggs.
Chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and will forage for food themselves. After 21-25 days they will fledge and be ready for independence. When breeding is over Soras form large flocks and eat plenty of food to give them the energy for migration.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of snails, seeds, and insects. They use their beaks to probe vegetation and mud to search for food.
Conservation and predators
The Sora is preyed on by hawks and falcons, herons and mammalian predators such as foxes. Their numbers have declined due to loss of wetlands through human development but they are not considered as Threatened or Endangered and the International Union of the Conservation of Nature classifies them as of Least Concern.
© 31/10/2009 zteve t evans
Nests are shallow baskets made by weaving dead vegetation around the stalks of live vegetation. Usually Soras situate the nest near or over water though they have been known to use dryer places such as willow trees or grass areas near water.
Breeding
Females lay an average clutch of 10-12 eggs though up to 18 have been known. Both parents share with incubating the eggs which take from 18-20 days. Chicks hatch at different times and are cared for by one parent while the other continues with incubating the rest of the eggs.
Chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and will forage for food themselves. After 21-25 days they will fledge and be ready for independence. When breeding is over Soras form large flocks and eat plenty of food to give them the energy for migration.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of snails, seeds, and insects. They use their beaks to probe vegetation and mud to search for food.
Conservation and predators
The Sora is preyed on by hawks and falcons, herons and mammalian predators such as foxes. Their numbers have declined due to loss of wetlands through human development but they are not considered as Threatened or Endangered and the International Union of the Conservation of Nature classifies them as of Least Concern.
© 31/10/2009 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
Copyright October 31, 2009 zteve t evans
Copyright October 31, 2009 zteve t evans