Spotted Crake
NameSpotted Crake
Common NameSpotted Crake
Scientific NamePorzana porzana
FamilyRallidae
Wingspan (cm)39.5
Length (cm)20
Weight (g)90
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are olive-brown with numerous white spots and streaks, particularly on the back and wings. Underparts are greyish with fine white barring on the flanks and belly. The head and neck are grey, with a pale supercilium. The short bill is yellowish-orange at the base and dark at the tip, and the legs are yellowish-green.
Vocalization / CallIts most characteristic call is a distinctive, repetitive 'huit-huit' or 'whitt-whitt' sound, often given at dusk or dawn. It also has a 'tick-tick-tick' alarm call.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatswetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across much of temperate Europe and western Asia, migrating south to winter in Africa and parts of southern Asia.
Identifying Featuresolive-brown upperparts with white spots, greyish underparts with white barring, short bill with orange base and dark tip, yellowish-green legs, secretive behavior in dense vegetation
Description
The Spotted Crake is a small, secretive waterbird typically found in dense wetland vegetation. It has a distinctive spotted plumage and a short, stout bill, often seen foraging along the water's edge.
