Red-necked Crake

The Red-necked Crake, Rallina tricolor, presents itself as a robust bird of the rail family, measuring 25 cm in length with a wingspan of 40 cm and tipping the scales at around 200 grams. Its plumage is a tapestry of earthy hues, with the head, neck, and breast adorned in a rich red-brown, softening to a paler shade upon the throat. The upperparts are cloaked in a grey-brown, while the underparts are similarly colored but with a delicate pattern of pale barring. The underwing reveals a striking barred black and white pattern. This bird sports a green bill and legs of a muted grey-brown.

Identification Tips

When endeavoring to identify the Red-necked Crake, look for its distinctive red-brown head, neck, and breast, contrasted with grey-brown upperparts and barred underparts. The barred black and white underwing is also a key feature, along with its green bill and grey-brown legs.

Habitat

The Red-necked Crake is a denizen of the tropics, favoring the lush environs of tropical rainforests and dense vegetation that thrives near permanent wetlands.

Distribution

This species has staked its claim across a range that includes the Moluccas, Lesser Sundas, the lowlands of New Guinea and its neighboring isles, and extends to the north-eastern reaches of Australia.

Behaviour

The Red-necked Crake is a creature of secrecy, often found resting on or near the ground amidst dense vegetation. It is seldom seen, which adds to its enigmatic allure.

Diet

A forager by nature, the Red-necked Crake's diet is composed of amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, and molluscs, which it seeks out in its wetland habitat.

Breeding

The breeding habits of the Red-necked Crake involve laying clutches of 3-5 dull-white eggs, which are incubated for approximately 20 days. Upon hatching, the chicks emerge cloaked in black down, ready to venture into the world (precocial) and inclined to leave the nest early (nidifugous).

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Red-necked Crake includes repetitive clicking calls and soft grunts, which resonate through its rainforest home.

Conservation status

The Red-necked Crake is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its extensive range and lack of evidence pointing to significant population declines. However, it is important to note that in Australia, the species has experienced declines due to habitat loss. Despite being little studied and elusive, it is considered to be locally common in New Guinea.