Spotted Crake

The Spotted Crake – Porzana porzana - is a small wetland bird, of the family Rallidae. It  breeds throughout Europe from southern Scandinavia to the northern Mediterranean, also reaching central and western Asia. They winter along the eastern spine of the African continent, as far down as South Africa. 

Description

The spotted crake is only the size of a starling. White spots on the breast, neck and upperparts are distinctive. Breeding adults have a brown back with dark streaks, a blue-grey face and an olive-brown breast - all covered with white flecks and spots. They have green legs with long toes. The under tail is a warm buff colour. In flight the leading edge of the wing is white. The sexes are similar.

Call

The spotted crake has an extensive vocal repertoire ranging from a quiet ‘hui’ to, when alarmed, a hard ‘eh’ and a ‘tshick’ used for warning. In Southern Africa these crakes are usually silent.

Food

Insects, snails, worms, small fish and plant materials.

Breeding