Yellow Rail – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Overview

Species Common Name Yellow Rail
Species Scientific Name Coturnicops noveboracensis noveboracensis
Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

East Cascades

The East Cascade ecoregion extends from the Cascade Mountains’ summit east to the warmer, drier high desert and down the length of the state. This ecoregion varies dramatically from its cool, moist border with the West Cascades ecoregion to its dry eastern border, where it meets sagebrush desert landscapes.

Special needs

Yellow Rails use sedge meadows for breeding. They prefer a narrow range of water depths and require the presence of senescent vegetation.

Limiting factors

Yellow Rails persist in a small, disjunct population in Oregon. They are dependent upon specific wetland types and conditions. Intensive livestock grazing that removes >50% of senescent vegetation and hydrological changes from wetland draining or inundation adversely affect this species.

Data gaps

Complete an inventory of potential breeding habitat in south-central Oregon. Describe prey selection and its relationship to preferred water levels.

Conservation actions

Maintain preferred water levels of approximately 2.4-2.8 inches during the breeding season. Retain at least 50% of senescent vegetation from year to year.

Key reference or plan

Conservation Assessment for Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis)