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Coots, Gallinules, and Rails 375

issues completely resolved. A thorough physical exam should be completed prior to release, iden-
tifying full growth of all primaries to ensure capable flight to evade predators, plus good body
condition and muscle mass. Birds should show capable hunting and foraging skills, and show no
signs of human interest.

Release

Whenever possible, birds should be released to an appropriate environment at or near where they
were found, in an area with conspecifics. Coots and gallinules are gregarious and can be released
into or near a wild flock. Rails are more solitary and secretive species that do not migrate widely,
which makes it especially important to release them near where they were found. While some rail
species are territorial, warnings from others are generally vocal, not physical. It is best to release
birds in the morning during a period of calm weather; this will allow them maximum time to
explore and adjust to their new environment before nightfall or bad weather.
Birds should be transported to release in an enclosure they can walk out of, such as a sky kennel.
Upon arrival at the release site, the enclosure door should be opened, all humans should stand
behind enclosure and allow the birds to walk out when they are ready. There is no need to rush this
important moment by poking or prodding the bird. Under no circumstance should rails or coots
(and most other birds) be thrown in the air when released. In addition to causing stress from han-
dling, it also gives the bird no time to adjust to its environment and scan for predators.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the awesome coots and rails who grace us with their beauty. Thank you to the 3‐g
Black Rail for giving us the experience of learning how to care for and raise such a unique species,
and for being a cooperative patient. Getting to release you back to your Pickleweed Marsh was one
of the most rewarding experiences of all.

Sources for Products Mentioned

Calcium carbonate powder and 1 cc syringes: Chris’s Squirrels and More, LLC., 304 Turnpike Rd.,
Somers, Ct. 06071, (860) 749–1129, www.squirrelsandmore.com.
Incubators: Lyon Technologies, Inc., 1690 Brandywine Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (888)
596–6872.
Mazuri products: Mazuri, PMI Nutrition International, LLC, PO Box 66 812, St. Louis, MO 63166,
www.mazuri.com.
Mealworms and other feeder insects: Rainbow Mealworms, PO Box 4907, Compton, CA 90220,
(800) 777–9676, www.rainbowmealworms.net.
OraPlus: Perrigo Company PLC, North American offices, 515 Eastern Avenue, Allegan, Michigan
49 010, (269) 673–8451, https://www.perrigo.com/business/product.aspx?ID=173&cat=comp.
SeaTabs: Pacific Research Labs, Inc., 730 Saddlebrook Dr., Ramona, CA 92065, www.prlvitamins.
com.
Tyvek leg bands: TabBand 7150 West Roosevelt Street, C113, Phoenix, Arizona 85 043, (602) 257–
0141, http://Tabband.com.