Populations of California Black Rails (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus) have been drastically reduced in western North America over the last several decades (Repking and Ohmart 1977, Evens et al. 1991). The California Black Rail is listed as threatened by the California Department of Fish and Game and is considered a "species of concern" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (www.dfg.ca.gov/endangered/birds.html). In Mexico, the California Black Rail is listed as endangered (Diario Oficial de la Federación 2000).