Watercock

Gallicrex cinerea (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea, is a rail in the family Rallidae that breeds across the Oriental Region, from Pakistan and the Maldives through north-eastern China, the Korean Peninsula and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan to the Philippines and the Greater Sundas. It also occurs outside the breeding season in Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas. It is the only species in its genus. The bird was first described in 1789. It is a secretive marshland species, though it can sometimes be seen in the open.

Order

Gruiformes

Family

Rallidae — Rails, Crakes & Coots

Breeding range

Oriental Region: Pakistan and Maldives through ne China, Korean Pen., Ryukyu Is. (Japan) through Philippines and Greater Sundas

Nonbreeding range

to Sulawesi and Lesser Sundas