clapper rail
noun
: a grayish-brown long-billed American rail (Rallus longirostris) that inhabits coastal marshes
Examples of clapper rail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The bird, also called a clapper rail, is noted for its distinctive clacking or grunting-like call.
—
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2024
Acadian flycatchers at the Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary and the Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset, a clapper rail at Moswetuset Hummock, 11 piping plovers at Wollaston Beach, and a black vulture in Medway.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 17 June 2023
Bring binoculars for the best chance to see varieties like the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher, which nests in the refuge, and the Yuma clapper rail, which spends most of its time hidden in the tall grasses.
—Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2022
For saltmarsh sparrows and clapper rails, almost all adults had to be killed for there to be a change in the long-term prospects of the population.
—James Gorman, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2019
Wetlands are widely valued as natural pollution filters and as habitat for endangered species such as the Yuma clapper rail, whooping crane and least tern.
—Elizabeth Svoboda, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2015
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2024
Acadian flycatchers at the Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary and the Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset, a clapper rail at Moswetuset Hummock, 11 piping plovers at Wollaston Beach, and a black vulture in Medway.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 17 June 2023
Bring binoculars for the best chance to see varieties like the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher, which nests in the refuge, and the Yuma clapper rail, which spends most of its time hidden in the tall grasses.
—Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2022
For saltmarsh sparrows and clapper rails, almost all adults had to be killed for there to be a change in the long-term prospects of the population.
—James Gorman, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2019
Wetlands are widely valued as natural pollution filters and as habitat for endangered species such as the Yuma clapper rail, whooping crane and least tern.
—Elizabeth Svoboda, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2015
Cite this Entry
“Clapper rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clapper%20rail. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share