By Sally siko

After years of trying, I finally managed to grab a few photos of a Sora this morning while birding at the Pinckney NWR in SC.
I’d added this species to my list ages ago but somehow never had an opportunity to get a portrait of one.
This bird was scurrying in between the dense, dark cover of reeds so it was very difficult to photograph it but I’ll take what I can get!

Measuring about 8in (about the size of a Robin), Soras are small members of the rail family of birds.
As with other rails, Soras are best found hunting for a meal along the shorelines of reedy ponds, in swamps, wetlands, marshes, and other semi-aquatic habitats. Their favorite habitats have a variety of vegetation, including reeds, rushes, tall grasses, and cattails.
This species also inhabits farms and pastures in agricultural areas particularly flooded out fields or meadows.

With a range stretching across southern Canada, the entirety of the United States down into Mexico and Central America, Soras are perhaps the western hemispheres most common species of rail. That being said, their small size and secretive nature can make them a challenge to actually see!
Luckily they are pretty vocal and will respond to a sharp noise, like clapping your hands, whereupon all the Soras nearby will start peeping and whinnying in chorus, letting you know how numerous they really are.

Soras are a migratory visitor to the central and eastern counties of the Carolinas. The best time to look for them are now through early May and again from late August through early October.
You’ve got about 5 weeks to enjoy these birds here in the Tarheel state this spring so get out there and see them!

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5