Rallen (Ausnahme: Blässhühner) Vorarlberg

Rails inhabit wetlands and the transition zones between water and land, typically with dense, tall vegetation. Classic habitats are reedbeds along lakes, ponds and river floodplains, fens, wet meadows and marshes, and overgrowing small water bodies. The body is laterally compressed and narrow, which lets the birds slip through thick reeds. The toes are strikingly long and let the birds keep their footing on soft mud and floating vegetation. The coot has additional lobes on its toes, which makes it a strong swimmer and diver.

Protection status varies by species. The water rail (Rallus aquaticus), spotted crake (Porzana porzana) and corncrake (Crex crex) are both specially and strictly protected under Germany's Federal Nature Conservation Act. The corncrake and spotted crake are additionally listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. In Germany the corncrake is classed as endangered and the spotted crake as threatened. These species may not be hunted, trapped, injured or killed, and their habitats are protected. The common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is not subject to hunting law and is specially protected under the Federal Nature Conservation Act. The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) is the only native rail listed as huntable game in the Federal Hunting Act, with an open season under the federal hunting season ordinance from 11 September to 20 February. Individual federal states may shorten this season or extend protection.

In the field, correct identification at the waterside is essential. The coot is slate-grey to black with a white bill and white frontal shield, has clearly visible lobed toes and is usually seen swimming openly on larger water surfaces. The moorhen is smaller and darker, with a red bill tipped yellow, a red frontal shield, a white line along the flank and a distinctive white pattern under the tail. The water rail and spotted crake, by contrast, live well hidden in the reeds and are usually noticed only by their distinctive calls. Before any shot, hunters should make absolutely sure they are looking at the huntable coot and not at one of its strictly protected cousins.