Thespotted crake (Porzana porzana) is a small waterbird of the familyRallidae. The scientific name is derived from Venetian terms for small rails.[2]
The spotted crake's breeding habitat ismarshes andsedge beds across temperate Europe into western Asia. They nest in a dry location in marsh vegetation, laying 6–15eggs. This species ismigratory, wintering in Africa and Pakistan.
At 19–22.5 cm (7.5–8.9 in) length, spotted crakes are slightly smaller thanwater rails, from which they are readily distinguished by the short straight bill, yellow with a red base. Adults have mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey breast, with dark barring and white spots on the flanks. They have green legs with long toes, and a short tail which is buff underneath.
Immature spotted crakes are similar, but the blue-grey is replaced by brown. The downy chicks are black, as with allrails.
The only confusion species is thesora, a rare vagrant from North America. However, that species lacks the breast spotting and has an unstreaked crown stripe.
These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eatinsects and aquatic animals.
Spotted crakes are very secretive in the breeding season, and are then mostly heard rather than seen. They are then noisybirds, with a distinctive repetitive whiplash-likehwuit, hwuit call. They can be easier to see on migration.
The spotted crake is one of the species to which theAgreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. The Western European population has declined in recent decades, and the species is now a very rare breeding bird in Great Britain.[3]
^Jobling, James A (2010).The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 315.ISBN978-1-4081-2501-4.
^Francis, I.; Stroud, D.A. (2006). "Spotted Crakes "Porzana Porzana" breeding in the UK – a history and evaluation of current status". In Boere. G.C.; Galbraith, C.A.; Stroud, D.A. (eds.).Waterbirds around the world. Edinburgh: The Stationery Office Limited. pp. 491–492.
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