Scientific Name: Gallicrex cinerea
Malay Name: Ayam-ayam Tanduk
Chinese Name: 董鸡
Range: Found from Indian subcontinent to southern China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Northern populations winter to Southeast Asia.
Taxonomy: Monotypic.
Size: M:41-43 cm, F:31-36 cm
Identification: Non-breeding male and female have buff brown plumage with bold dark streaks on the upperparts, narrow barrings on the underparts and yellowish-green bill and legs. Male is significantly larger and has thicker bill than female. Breeding male has black body with streaked buff-brown back, mostly yellowish bill and red frontal shield that extends over the head. Juvenile resembles female.
Habitat: Freshwater wetlands, marshy grasslands and well vegetated ponds in parks/gardens.
Behaviour/Ecology: Usually solitary and skulk in thick cover, occasionally coming out to feed in the open.
Local Status: Uncommon migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Location: Recent sightings were at Singapore Botanic Gardens, Japanese Garden, Kranji Marsh, Lorong Halus, Seletar and Tuas.
Featured reports: Mar 2022, Dec 2022, Jan 2023, Feb 2023, Mar 2023, Apr 2023, May 2023, Oct 2023, Dec 2023, Jan 2024, Feb 2024, Mar 2024, Apr 2024, May 2024
Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Watercock)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Gallicrex cinerea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22692789A93369824.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Watercock. Retrieved on December 3, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/watercock.