The black crake #BirdingSunday
A small, pudgy, blackish waterbird with reddish eyes, a
yellowish bill, and diagnostic pink-red legs. The immature is browner, with
duller legs and bill. It scuttles along the edges of swamps and other water
bodies, preferring reedbeds and emergent vegetation to forage on, sometimes
quite boldly. Like most crakes, it walks tentatively with its head lowered,
picking and probing for insects, plant matter, and other food. The distinctive
call is an odd, wheezy bubbling and chattering “cheeew-t-t-t-t treeew,
t-t-t-t-t-treew”.
Diet: Invertebrates, insects, fish, frogs, seeds of aqautic
plants, and bird eggs. Crakes can often be seen consuming parasites off of
large animals such as hippos.
Reproduction: The black crake is incredibly territorial of
its nest. Often it will attack other crakes or even larger birds to defend its
territory. The nest usually consists of reeds and other aquatic plants. Up to
six eggs may be produced, with the average being three eggs. They're incubated
over a period of 13-19 days.
Behavior: This species is diurnal, and often most active
just after rainfall. Its movements are closely related to seasonal rainfall and
formation of temporary water sources. Breeding occurs throughout the year when
conditions are suitable, with seasonal peaks occuring just after periods of
rain. The crake nests territorially, and usually occurs just in pairs. However,
groups up to 10 individuals will occasionally form.
Median Life Expectancy: 5.7 years
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