Clapper Rail
Rallus crepitans · Also known as: marsh hen
Secretive salt-marsh specialist. NPS lists Clapper Rails among summer hunters of Assateague marsh edges.
Quick facts
| Group | Other |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★☆☆ |
| Habitats | Salt marsh, Assateague National Seashore, Assateague State Park |
| Seasons (this coast) | year-round, summer |
How to recognize them
- Chicken-sized marsh bird with a long slightly downcurved bill, gray-brown barred flanks.
- More often heard than seen—“clapper” calls from dense cordgrass.
Biology notes
- Walks through marsh tunnels feeding on crabs, snails, and other invertebrates.
- Resident along Mid-Atlantic salt marshes where habitat remains.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Assateague salt marshes at dawn/dusk; watch quiet creek edges on a falling tide.
- Kayak edges of Sinepuxent Bay marshes without entering nesting thickets.
When to look
- Year-round potential; easiest to detect when calling in breeding season.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Patience beats pursuit—sit quietly and wait for a bird to cross an open muddy gutter.
