African Crake

The African crake, a member of the rail family, is a small to medium-sized bird that graces the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. It is characterized by its brown-streaked blackish upperparts and bluish-grey underparts, with a distinctive black-and-white barring on the flanks and belly. A stubby red bill, red eyes, and a white line extending from the bill to above the eye further distinguish this bird. The African crake is smaller than its relative, the corn crake, and can be identified by its unique plumage and eye stripe.

Identification Tips

When identifying the African crake, look for its smaller size compared to the corn crake, and note the bluish-grey underparts and barred flanks. The red bill and eyes are also key features. In flight, observe the shorter, blunter wings with less prominent white leading edges and deeper wingbeats.

Habitat

The African crake is partial to a variety of grassland habitats, from wetland edges and seasonal marshes to savannas and agricultural lands with tall crops. It thrives in grasses ranging from 0.3 to 2 meters in height and is often found near thickets or termite mounds.

Distribution

This bird is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, avoiding only the rainforests and the driest regions. It is a partial migrant, moving with the rains to breed in areas with sufficient grass cover.

Behaviour

The African crake is diurnal, with peak activity at dusk or during light rain. It is less secretive than other crakes, often seen along roadsides. Territorial by nature, the male may display and engage in combat at territory boundaries.

Song & Calls

The African crake's vocal repertoire includes a rapid grating "krrr" call used for territory establishment and mating. Alarm calls and other vocalizations are also part of its communication, with distinct calls for different situations.

Breeding

Breeding behavior includes courtship chases and copulation. The nest is a shallow grass cup, often hidden under vegetation. Clutch sizes range from 3 to 11 eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties. Chicks are precocial and fledge in four to five weeks.

Diet and Feeding

The diet is diverse, consisting of invertebrates, small vertebrates, and plant material, particularly grass seeds. The African crake forages both within vegetation and in open areas, displaying a variety of feeding behaviors.

Conservation status

With a large range and population, the African crake is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Although habitat loss and hunting pose threats in some regions, the species is currently not considered to be under significant threat.