African Crake

Crecopsis egregia (Peters, W, 1854)

African Crake, Crecopsis egregia, is a rail found across much of Africa, especially in central and southern parts of the continent. It lives in grassland and can also use farmland with tall crops, but it is absent from rainforests and places with very low rainfall. It is a partial migrant, shifting away from the equator when seasonal rains create enough grass for breeding. It is a smallish crake with dark streaked upperparts, grey underparts, barred flanks and belly, a red bill and eyes, and a pale line from bill to eye.

Order

Gruiformes

Family

Rallidae — Rails, Crakes & Coots

Breeding range

Africa: widespread