The yellow rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) is a small secretive marsh bird, of the family Rallidae that is found in North America. Adults have brown upperparts streaked with black, a yellowish-brown breast, a light belly and barred flanks. The short thick dark bill turns yellow in males during the breeding season. The feathers on the back are edged with white. There is a yellow-brown band over the eye and the legs are greenish-yellow. The birds measure 16–19 cm (6.3–7.5 in) in overall length; males have an average weight of 59 g (2.1 oz), females an average weight of 52 g (1.8 oz). The yellow rail are very elusive and seldom seen. They generally call at night resembling the sound of two stones being clicked together 'tik-tik tik-tik-tik' in repetition. When approached, they are more likely to rely on camouflage and escaping on foot through dense vegetation, rather than flushing. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)