Watercock

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.

Photos:

Female Watercock at SBG. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Female Watercock at SBG. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Female Watercock at SBG. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Male Watercock at Kranji Marsh. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai

Male Watercock at Kranji Marsh. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
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 19 December 2021

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.