Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Grey-breasted Crake

Laterallus exilis

The grey-breasted crake, scientifically known as Laterallus exilis, is a diminutive bird belonging to the Rallidae family, which includes rails, gallinules, and coots. This species exhibits a pale gray head and breast, a white throat, and a chestnut nape. The upperparts are olive brown, while the flanks are adorned with a striking pattern of black and white bars.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species can be identified by their size, measuring between 14 to 15.5 cm in length, and their distinctive coloration. Both males and females are similar in appearance, with males weighing between 26.5 to 39 grams and females slightly heavier at 29 to 43 grams.

Habitat

The grey-breasted crake is found in a variety of wetland habitats, often with shallow standing water. These include marsh edges, riverbanks, lake peripheries, wet meadows, and even man-made environments such as rice fields. It is also known to inhabit drier areas like pastures and airfields.

Distribution

This bird has a broad distribution across the Americas, with populations ranging from Belize and eastern Guatemala through to Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, western Venezuela, central Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, Amazonian regions, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, northwestern Ecuador, coastal southeastern Brazil, and Trinidad.

Behaviour

The grey-breasted crake is generally considered sedentary, although some local movements have been suggested. Its secretive nature often keeps it hidden from view.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the grey-breasted crake includes a series of 'tink' or 'keek' notes, a descending musical rattle, and a quiet, sharp 'check'.

Breeding

Breeding seasons for the grey-breasted crake are not well defined and seem to vary by region. The species constructs a spherical nest from grass and weed stems, featuring a side entrance. Clutches typically consist of three eggs.

Diet and Feeding

While the foraging behavior of the grey-breasted crake has not been extensively documented, its diet is known to comprise insects from various orders, spiders, worms, and seeds.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the grey-breasted crake as Least Concern due to its extensive range and a sizable estimated population of at least 50,000 mature individuals. Despite a suspected population decline, no immediate threats have been identified. The species is considered common in the Amazon but is less frequently encountered and deemed uncommon in Central America.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Grey-breasted Crakes on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Chris Down
Chris Down
09 Jan 2025 - 10:19pm
Costa Rica

More Rails, Crakes & Coots

A photo of a White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

White-breasted Waterhen

Amaurornis phoenicurus
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.