Quick answer
IUCN status: VulnerableSnoring rail at a glance
The snoring rail (Aramidopsis plateni) is a bird in the family Rallidae. Range in Indonesia: Sulawesi, including West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Gorontalo and North Sulawesi. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Sulawesi. Diet: invertebrates found on damp ground and near water; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Aramidopsis plateni |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Mandar dengkur |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sulawesi, including West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Gorontalo and North Sulawesi |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests |
| Diet | Invertebrates found on damp ground and near water |
| Range in Indonesia | Endemic to Sulawesi, lowlands and hills |
| Key feature | Flightless, grey, rufous hindneck, barred flanks |
| Provincial identity animal | West Sulawesi province |
| Other names | Mandar dengkur; Platen's rail |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 610 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — invertebrates taken on wet ground near water · Oiseaux.net (AVONET/Birds of the World traits) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · Oiseaux.net (AVONET/Birds of the World traits) |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Sulawesi · BirdLife DataZone |
In this guide (11)
What is the snoring rail?
The snoring rail (Aramidopsis plateni) is a flightless member of the rail family (Rallidae), endemic to Sulawesi and 29–30 cm long according to BirdLife International. It is mostly grey, with a rufous patch on the hindneck, a white throat, brown wings and tail, and black-and-white barred flanks.
It can be confused with the blue-faced rail (Gymnocrex rosenbergii), which shares its forests. The blue-faced rail, however, has a blue patch around the eye and plain black underparts. The snoring rail is listed as the identity animal of West Sulawesi province on the West Sumatra provincial government's official website. BirdLife assesses it as Vulnerable.
Evidence: BirdLife DataZone — Snoring Rail Aramidopsis plateni species factsheet ↗ · Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Barat (Humas, 2017) — Fauna Sekaligus Maskot Prov. Sumbar ↗ · Karakter Unsulbar (2023) — Penelitian Tim Dosen Pendidikan Biologi Unsulbar, Populasi Burung Mandar Dengkur di Gandang Dewata Kian Terancam ↗
Where does the snoring rail live?
The snoring rail lives only on Sulawesi, in lowland and hill forest up to 1,300 m. BirdLife International records it from the north, centre and south-east of the island, including Lore Lindu National Park, and says it may occur across the whole island.
It lives in lowland and lower montane rainforest, especially dense forest edges or the thick understorey of primary forest. Streams, damp gullies and thick secondary growth full of rattan, lianas and bamboo seem to be important. In West Sulawesi, researchers from Universitas Sulawesi Barat found it in villages bordering Gandang Dewata National Park, Mamasa regency.
Evidence: BirdLife DataZone — Snoring Rail Aramidopsis plateni species factsheet ↗ · Biosaintifika — Putera et al. (2023), Population Assessment of Sulawesi’s Endangered Snoring Rails (Aramidopsis plateni Blasius) in Gandang Dewata National Park ↗
What does the snoring rail eat?
The snoring rail eats invertebrates that it finds on the ground, especially in damp places near water. The bird trait databases cited by Oiseaux.net (Pigot et al. 2020; Tobias et al. 2021) class it as a predator that forages on wet ground.
Direct observations of its diet are still very scarce, because the bird is shy and rarely seen. A study in Gandang Dewata National Park (Putera et al. 2023) found that the distance to a food source was one of the most important factors in where snoring rails occur. The researchers suggest its shyness makes it more comfortable foraging in remote places.
Evidence: Oiseaux.net — Snoring Rail, Aramidopsis plateni ↗ · Biosaintifika — Putera et al. (2023), Population Assessment of Sulawesi’s Endangered Snoring Rails (Aramidopsis plateni Blasius) in Gandang Dewata National Park ↗ · BirdLife DataZone — Snoring Rail Aramidopsis plateni species factsheet ↗
Why is it called the snoring rail?
It is called the snoring rail because its call sounds like a person snoring. According to BirdLife International, the call is a brief wheeze followed by a longer snore, ‘ee-orrrr’, and it also gives a deep sighing ‘mmmm’.
The snoring rail is very shy and hard to see, so its voice is often the main sign that it is present. Being flightless, it moves about on the dense forest floor. The female looks like the male but has more rufous on the hindneck and less white on the chin. Putera and colleagues (2023) recommend camera traps and automatic sound recorders to monitor this elusive bird.
Evidence: BirdLife DataZone — Snoring Rail Aramidopsis plateni species factsheet ↗ · Biosaintifika — Putera et al. (2023), Population Assessment of Sulawesi’s Endangered Snoring Rails (Aramidopsis plateni Blasius) in Gandang Dewata National Park ↗
Why is the snoring rail threatened?
The snoring rail is threatened mainly by the loss and fragmentation of Sulawesi's lowland forest. According to BirdLife International, forest is cleared for transmigration settlements, farming, infrastructure and large-scale logging. Being flightless, it is also vulnerable to introduced predators such as dogs, and it is hunted with snares.
A survey in July–August 2023 in four villages bordering Gandang Dewata National Park recorded only 20 birds, with the largest subpopulation at Tondok Bakaru. The study found more birds in places farther from settlements. The researchers propose upgrading its global status to Endangered.
Evidence: BirdLife DataZone — Snoring Rail Aramidopsis plateni species factsheet ↗ · Biosaintifika — Putera et al. (2023), Population Assessment of Sulawesi’s Endangered Snoring Rails (Aramidopsis plateni Blasius) in Gandang Dewata National Park ↗ · Karakter Unsulbar (2023) — Penelitian Tim Dosen Pendidikan Biologi Unsulbar, Populasi Burung Mandar Dengkur di Gandang Dewata Kian Terancam ↗
How can the snoring rail be protected?
The snoring rail is protected by keeping Sulawesi's lowland and hill forests intact and by not setting snares in the forest. Aramidopsis plateni is listed as a protected species in the annex to regulation P.106/2018 (entry 610, mandar dengkur).
BirdLife International recommends extensive surveys to map its range and numbers, and protecting key sites. The Universitas Sulawesi Barat team passed its findings to the conservation agency (BKSDA) office in Polewali so that a dedicated conservation strategy can be prepared. Residents can help by keeping dogs out of the forest and reporting hunting to the BKSDA or national park staff.
Evidence: Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (lampiran) ↗ · BirdLife DataZone — Snoring Rail Aramidopsis plateni species factsheet ↗ · Karakter Unsulbar (2023) — Penelitian Tim Dosen Pendidikan Biologi Unsulbar, Populasi Burung Mandar Dengkur di Gandang Dewata Kian Terancam ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Snoring rail
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Aramidopsis |
| Species | Aramidopsis plateni |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the snoring rail
What is the scientific name of the snoring rail?
The scientific name of the snoring rail is Aramidopsis plateni, in the family Rallidae. In Indonesian it is called Mandar dengkur.
What kind of animal is the snoring rail?
The snoring rail is a bird in the family Rallidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a invertebrates taken on wet ground near water. It is also endemic to Indonesia.
Where does the snoring rail live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the snoring rail in: Sulawesi, including West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Gorontalo and North Sulawesi.
The snoring rail is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Sulawesi. Source: BirdLife DataZone.
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.
What does the snoring rail eat?
Diet of the snoring rail: invertebrates found on damp ground and near water. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: Oiseaux.net (AVONET/Birds of the World traits).
How does the snoring rail reproduce?
The snoring rail reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the snoring rail nocturnal?
No. The snoring rail is diurnal (active by day). Source: Oiseaux.net (AVONET/Birds of the World traits).
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What are the main features of the snoring rail?
Key features of the snoring rail, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: flightless, grey, rufous hindneck, barred flanks.
What is the scientific classification of the snoring rail?
Scientific classification of the snoring rail: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Gruiformes, family Rallidae, genus Aramidopsis, species Aramidopsis plateni.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the snoring rail endangered?
Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the snoring rail is listed as Vulnerable: it is considered to face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the snoring rail protected in Indonesia?
Is the snoring rail protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The snoring rail (Aramidopsis plateni) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 610).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the snoring rail be kept as a pet?
No. Because the snoring rail is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Sources & references
- BirdLife DataZone — Snoring Rail Aramidopsis plateni species factsheet ↗
- Biosaintifika — Putera et al. (2023), Population Assessment of Sulawesi’s Endangered Snoring Rails (Aramidopsis plateni Blasius) in Gandang Dewata National Park ↗
- Karakter Unsulbar (2023) — Penelitian Tim Dosen Pendidikan Biologi Unsulbar, Populasi Burung Mandar Dengkur di Gandang Dewata Kian Terancam ↗
- Oiseaux.net — Snoring Rail, Aramidopsis plateni ↗
- Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Barat (Humas, 2017) — Fauna Sekaligus Maskot Prov. Sumbar ↗
- Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (lampiran) ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.
Cite this page
PanduanHewan. (2026, 1 October). Snoring rail (Aramidopsis plateni). PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/snoring-rail/