Black Crake

The Black Crake, known scientifically as Zapornia flavirostra, is a rather striking waterbird from the rail and crake family, Rallidae. Adults typically measure between 19 to 23 centimeters in length, featuring a short tail and notably long toes. The plumage is predominantly black, with a subtle brown olive hue on the wings and upperparts that is often imperceptible in natural light. The bird's eye is a vivid red, complemented by a yellow bill—aptly reflected in its binomial name—and legs and feet of a reddish hue, which may appear duller outside of the breeding season.

Identification Tips

Both sexes of the Black Crake are similar in appearance, though males are marginally larger and most exhibit a hooked upper mandible—a feature less common in females. Juveniles display brown upperparts with a dark grey head and underparts, and their bill is a greenish yellow. Their legs and feet are a muted red. The downy chicks are uniformly black, a common trait among rails.

Habitat

The Black Crake favors freshwater marshes teeming with vegetation, which provides essential cover. Unlike many of its rail relatives, this species is often observed in the open, thanks to its less secretive nature.

Distribution

This bird is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, save for regions that are particularly arid. It is known to undertake seasonal movements in response to drought conditions.

Behaviour

The Black Crake is diurnal and exhibits a certain boldness, often feeding in close proximity to humans. It is a common to abundant species that has adapted well to human-altered landscapes, such as areas affected by deforestation. Notably, the species is seldom hunted due to the unpalatable nature of its flesh.

Song & Calls

The primary vocalization of the Black Crake is a duet commencing with a throaty chattering "krrrok-kraaaa," followed by a dove-like cooing "coo-crr-COO."

Breeding

During the breeding season, the Black Crake becomes fiercely territorial and aggressive, even towards birds of similar size. Both sexes contribute to constructing a deep, neat bowl-shaped nest from wetland plants, which may be situated in marsh vegetation, on the ground, or occasionally elevated in a bush. The clutch typically consists of two to six eggs, which are cream or white with brown or chestnut spots. Incubation, lasting 13 to 19 days, is a shared duty, sometimes aided by offspring from previous broods. The precocial chicks venture from the nest within a few days of hatching and are fed by their parents and helpers for several weeks thereafter, achieving flight by 5 to 6 weeks of age and independence at 6 to 12 weeks.

Diet and Feeding

The Black Crake's diet is varied, including invertebrates, small fish, frogs, seeds, bird eggs, and it will scavenge on carcasses. It forages on the ground or climbs reeds to capture prey, including flying insects. A peculiar behavior is observed when it perches on hippopotamuses and warthogs to remove parasites.

Conservation status

The Black Crake is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face any immediate threat of extinction.