similar to adults but are darker and duller. Subspecies R. l. phelpsi has a darker crown and upperparts and paler underparts than the nominate. R. l. margaritae is the darkest subspecies; it is smaller than the nominate and has bolder bars on the flanks. R. l. pelodramus is similar in size to margaritae but paler. The dark markings on the upperparts of R. l. cypereti are lighter than those of the nominate and the dark flank bars are also lighter. Distribution and habitat The mangrove rail is found discontinuously on the Pacific coast of Central America and the Pacific, Caribbean, and Atlantic coasts of South America. It inhabits coastal mangrove swamps and brackish and salt marshes. The subspecies are distributed thus: R. l. phelpsi Wetmore, 1941 – northeastern Colombia's La Guajira Department into northwestern Venezuela as far as Miranda state R. l. dillonripleyi Phelps Jr & Aveledo, 1987 – northeastern Venezuela's Sucre state R. l. margaritae Zimmer, JT & Phelps, 1944 – Margarita Island off the Venezuelan coast R. l. pelodramus Oberholser, 1937 – Trinidad R. l. longirostris Boddaert, 1783 – Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana R. l. crassirostris Lawrence, 1871 – Brazil from the Amazon estuary south to Santa Catarina state R. l. cypereti Taczanowski, 1878 – from Nariño Department in southwestern Colombia through Ecuador into Peru's Department of Tumbes R. l. berryorum Maley et al., 2016 - El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The population in northwestern Costa Rica is believed to also belong to this subspecies. Behavior Movement The mangrove rail is sedentary. Feeding The mangrove rail forages near cover, mostly at low tide and during the morning and early evening. It is believed to hunt by sight, probing sand and mud, tossing aside leaf litter to expose prey, catching small fish in shallow water, and scavenging dead fish. It has a very diverse diet that includes animal prey such as crustaceans (especially crabs and crayfish), molluscs, leeches, aquatic and terrestrial insects, fish, and amphibians. It also feeds on plant matter such as seeds, berries, and tubers, especially in winter. Breeding The mangrove rail's breeding season varies geographically but in most areas includes May and June. It makes a nest of sticks and dead leaves near water on the ground or in vegetation. The clutch size is three to seven eggs. Both sexes incubate the eggs for the period of 18 to 29 days. Vocalization The mangrove rail's