Birds and wildlife

Spotted Crake

Porzana porzanaGroup: Rails, crakes and cootsUK Conservation status:Amber

How to identify

The Spotted Crake is similar in size to a Starling. Breeding adults have a brown back with dark streaks, a blue-grey face and an olive-brown breast - all covered with white flecks and spots. The under tail is a warm buff colour. Spotted Crakes tend to skulk in thick cover and walk with their body close to the ground, tail flicking. They swim with a jerky action like that of the Moorhen. If surprised in the open, they run for cover or jump up and flutter away with legs dangling.

Call

Spotted Crake

Patrik Åberg / xeno-canto

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Key facts