Baillon's Crake

Zapornia pusilla

Family: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots · Status: Rare migrant · Size: 19–20.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Occurs across Europe, Africa, India, China, Japan to Indonesia and Australasia. The northern population migrates to Southeast Asia.

Identification

Adult has rich brown upperparts with black streaks and black-edged white markings, pale grey head-sides and anterior underparts, black-and-white bars at posterior underparts and greenish bill and legs. Juvenile resembles adult but lacks the pale grey plumage at head-sides and anterior underparts.

Habitat

Marshes and grasslands with dense emergents, floating vegetation and shallow water.

Behaviour

Skulking, rarely seen away from reedbeds.