The term 'short billed marsh bird' refers to two species of birds, the SORA (Porzana carolina) and the CRAKE (Porzana parva). The SORA is a small, secretive rail that is found in wetlands across North America. It has a short, stout bill and a gray-brown back with black and white barring on its sides. The CRAKE is a small, secretive rail that is found in wetlands across Europe and Asia. It has a short, stout bill and a gray-brown back with black and white barring on its sides. Both species are known for their secretive behavior and can be difficult to spot in the wild.