Red-legged Crake

Rallina fasciata

Family: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots · Status: Common resident and migrant · Size: 22–25 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Resident across Northeast India to Southeast Asia. Northern populations migrate south.

Identification

Adult has dark brown back, orange-brown head and breast, red eyes, black-and-white bars on wing-coverts, and bold black-and-white bars on lower breast to vent with red legs. Juvenile has greyish-brown plumage, less distinct belly barring, dull brown legs and brown eyes. Slaty-legged Crake has grey legs and lacks the red eye ring. Ruddy-breasted Crake has darker overall plumage with less distinct belly barring. Band-bellied Crake has more brown overall plumage and lacks red legs.

Habitat

Streams and wet areas in forest, secondary growth, gardens and parks.

Behaviour

Forages by carefully walking through wet areas, picking food from wet ground and leaf litter.