The rails, or Rallidae,
are a large cosmopolitan family of small to medium-sized birds. The
family exhibits considerable diversity and the family also includes the
crakes, coots, and gallinules. Many species are associated with
wetlands, although the family is found in every terrestrial habitat
except dry deserts, polar regions and alpine areas above the snow line.
Members of the Rallidae are found on every continent except Antarctica.
There are numerous island species. The most common habitats are
marshland or dense forest. Rails are especially fond of dense
vegetation.
