Sora
Porzana carolina
We find the Sora nearly anywhere in North America where it breeds. They spend winters in southern USA, Mexico, Central and northern South America. This bird ranges over a wider area than of all other rails.
Like its cousins, it reveals its presence more readily to our ears by its distinctive call than it will to our eyes. There are several vocalizations offered by the Sora, but the most memorable song is its barrage of descending squeaky beeps. No other bird utters sounds remotely similar to this bird.
When rearing young, the Sora will consume insects and other invertebrates. Most of the year, this bird eats mainly seeds and vegetable matter, more so than any of its kin.
Modern science regards the Sora as monotypic (i.e. no subspecies).
In 2005, I met my first Sora in Alberta (Canada). Since then, I have enjoyed their company in the Canadian Yukon, California, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and on South Padre Island (Texas). My favorite captures came in 2015 from my first visit to Bicknell Bottoms (Utah). Parked on a berm roadway over the marsh near the Fremont River, it was my good fortune to photograph a bird before it crossed the road to forage on the opposite side. As it eye-balled me, determining if it was safe to cross, I collected a few portrait shots of the erect bird. Then it strolled across the road and disappeared into the vegetation.
I never seem to tire of meeting Sora. My 2021 and 2022 expeditions to Texas provided me with intimate meetings with these secretive birds on South Padre Island. Near the SPI Convention Centre, and the SPI Birding and Nature Center is a water treatment facility. It provides a freshwater outflow to a marsh and Black Mangrove estuary. A rich array of birds haunt this wetlands, and from a boardwalk traversing it, I met several foraging Sora.
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29 Photos
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Bicknell Bottoms south of Bicknell, Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:08 13:21 |
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Location:
Bicknell Bottoms |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X0139-Sora |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Bicknell Bottoms south of Bicknell, Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:08 13:21 |
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Location:
Bicknell Bottoms |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X0150-Sora |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Bicknell Bottoms south of Bicknell, Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:08 13:24 |
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Location:
Bicknell Bottoms |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X0176-Sora |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: (Porzana carolina) These birds have no problem with swimming when the need arises, as seen from Skyline Drive outside of Pinedale Wyoming USA 2015-05-08. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:14 12:28 |
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Location:
White Pine Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X2504-Sora |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: These birds have no problem with swimming when the need arises, as seen from Skyline Drive outside of Pinedale Wyoming USA 2015-05-08. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:14 12:32 |
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Location:
White Pine Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X2530-Sora |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Early morning foraging in the marshes at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 7:31 |
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Location:
Poe Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 |
File Name: D3X2918-Sora |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Little Lake, Alberta, Canada. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:04 10:22 |
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Location:
Little Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 |
File Name: JCD3413Sora |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Foraging in marshy wetlands is where these birds seem most comfortable. Dixon Lake. Northern Escondido, San Diego County, California USA 2015-05-08. |
Date Taken: 2004:10:05 18:11 |
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Location:
Dixon Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD_0752Sora |
| © 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Foraging in marshy wetlands is where these birds seem most comfortable. Dixon Lake. Northern Escondido, San Diego County, California USA 2015-05-08. |
Date Taken: 2004:10:05 18:26 |
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Location:
Dixon Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/40 |
File Name: JCD_0781Sora |
| © 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Skulking in the marshlands at Havasu NWR in Arizona. East of Needles, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:27 10:20 |
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Location:
Topock Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X2401-Sora |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Skulking in the marshlands at Havasu NWR in Arizona. East of Needles, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:27 10:19 |
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Location:
Topock Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X2383-Sora |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Little Lake, Alberta, Canada. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:04 10:23 |
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Location:
Little Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/9.5, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD3422Sora |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: The Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:15 9:03 |
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Location:
Tijuana River Regional Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X7173-Sora |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: I heard Virginia Rails calling from across the marsh, but this Sora made itself available to my camera. The morning was slow for bird meetings at the SPI Convention Center, but the afternoon was better. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:01 15:56 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Sora_D5X7399-SouthPadreIsland-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: I heard Virginia Rails calling from across the marsh, but this Sora made itself available to my camera. The morning was slow for bird meetings at the SPI Convention Center, but the afternoon was better. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:01 15:54 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Sora_D5X7376-SouthPadreIsland-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: The pickings seemed plentiful for this shy rail. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:17 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Sora_D5X2874-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: The pickings seemed plentiful for this shy rail. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:14 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Sora_D5X2841-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: I counted three Sora under the boardwalk on the marsh pond this day. I’m sure there were more. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 16:46 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Sora_D5X9162-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: I never seem to tire of meeting Sora. Sunday was the 2nd day of the great warbler fallout, but unlike Saturday’s expedition, the sun shone through to light her subjects. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:18 16:14 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500 |
File Name: Sora_D5X8724-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: I never seem to tire of meeting Sora. Sunday was the 2nd day of the great warbler fallout, but unlike Saturday’s expedition, the sun shone through to light her subjects. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:18 16:14 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Sora_D5X8734-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: I never seem to tire of meeting Sora. Sunday was the 2nd day of the great warbler fallout, but unlike Saturday’s expedition, the sun shone through to light her subjects. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:18 16:14 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Sora_D5X8742-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Unlike the Least Bitterns, these Soras will probably nest further to the north. Bird activity on Tuesday’s visit to South Padre Island was slightly less hectic than it was on the weekend, but it gave me some great bird encounters, including two birds brand new to me. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:20 13:50 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500 |
File Name: Sora_D5X9895SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Two birds I didn’t pick up on my visit to Watson Lake three weeks prior, were the Sora and the Warbling Vireo. I had no problem finding them on *this* visit though. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:21 9:00 |
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Location:
Wye Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/18.0, 1/250 |
File Name: Sora_8503120-WatsonLake.YK_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Two birds I didn’t pick up on my visit to Watson Lake three weeks prior, were the Sora and the Warbling Vireo. I had no problem finding them on *this* visit though. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:21 9:00 |
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Location:
Wye Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/18.0, 1/200 |
File Name: Sora_8503128-WatsonLake.YK_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Two birds I didn’t pick up on my visit to Watson Lake three weeks prior, were the Sora and the Warbling Vireo. I had no problem finding them on *this* visit though. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:21 9:02 |
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Location:
Wye Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/18.0, 1/160 |
File Name: Sora_8503175-WatsonLake.YK_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Two birds I didn’t pick up on my visit to Watson Lake three weeks prior, were the Sora and the Warbling Vireo. I had no problem finding them on *this* visit though. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:21 9:03 |
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Location:
Wye Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/18.0, 1/320 |
File Name: Sora_8503208-WatsonLake.YK_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: The Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:15 9:02 |
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Location:
Tijuana River Regional Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X7171-Sora |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: More often heard than seen, Soras are plentiful in the marsh between SPI’s Convention Centre and the Birding and Nature Center. |
Date Taken: 2024:04:17 15:15 |
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Location:
South Padre Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/12800 |
File Name: Sora_Z9X7658_SPI-BirdingNatureCenter |
| © 2024 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sora(Porzana carolina) |
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Description: Foraging in marshy wetlands is where these birds seem most comfortable. Dixon Lake. Northern Escondido, San Diego County, California USA 2015-05-08. |
Date Taken: 2004:10:05 18:18 |
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Location:
Dixon Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/180 |
File Name: JCD_0774Sora |
| © 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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