soras

/ˈsɔrəz/
noun
  1. Small, short-billed marsh birds (rails) with olive-brown and black plumage, found in North America.
    • During migration, soras stop to rest in wetlands across the central United States.
    • We spotted several soras hiding among the cattails at the edge of the pond.
    • The birdwatcher identified the soras by their distinctive whinnying call.