Virginia Rails

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

Virginia rails are secretive by nature and more often heard than seen. They have a number of calls, including a harsh kuk kuk kuk, usually heard at night.

These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects and aquatic animals.

These birds remain fairly common despite continuing loss of habitat, but views this close are hard to come by.

Photo Credit: K. Theule / USFWS — at Seedskadee and Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuges.