Need an ID please

[Paul Ricciardi]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2725394196_4944588115.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2725394654_63b3727076.jpg?v=0

I know the pictures aren't that great but I would really love to ID this guy. I photographed him in a swamp here in Connecticut, there were two birds one (that I photographed) was a bit more colourful than the other so I assume he is the male. The Assumed female disappeared into the reeds before I could get any shots of her. Both birds had long toes and were about 6 inches from head to tail. The "male" was very vocal, calling in a peep peep and as I observed and photographed him for a bout an hour he walked the same circular loop through the marsh while feeding in the "sewing machine" motion common to shorebirds. He was very curious and responded to a few warbler calls I can passably imitate, at one point in time he was only about a foot away from me but due to the thick grasses I couldn't get any good shots. These are the best I've got, I really enjoyed photographing him and would love an ID.

Thanks guys

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great find, looks like a Virginia Rail to me.

[Judd Patterson]

Yes, Axel is correct. These images show a Virginia Rail. They are often quite difficult to see so it must have been a treat to have them so close (a foot away!!! Wow!). Also, both the male and the female have similar plumage in this species, so the paler bird that you saw was very likely a juvenile from this year.

[Paul Ricciardi]

Thanks for the ID guys! Judd-it was very exciting to have him so close, at one point in time I ended up switching from my camera that had my telephoto to my camera body that had my wide angle on it. He came right up to the kayak I was in (I beached it in the marsh to photograph him) and just kept right on feeding in the mud. It was a great experience.