Corncrake Bird Facts (Crex crex)

The Corncrake is a medium-sized bird with a compact body, short neck, and strong legs. Its plumage is predominantly brown and buff, with black streaks on the upperparts and barred flanks. The wings show chestnut patches in flight.

Both sexes look similar, with males slightly larger. Juveniles resemble adults but have a duller, less defined pattern. The bird's cryptic colouration provides excellent camouflage in tall grass.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Corncrake can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Corncrake can be found in Farmland habitats.

The Corncrake can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Corncrake is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Corncrakes inhabit tall grass meadows, hay fields, and damp grasslands across Europe and western Asia. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and a mix of wet and dry ground.

During the breeding season, they are found in northern and central Europe, including the UK and Ireland. Their wintering grounds are in sub-Saharan Africa, and birds migrate long distances between seasons.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Corncrake. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Corncrake demonstrates remarkable agility, capable of swiftly navigating through dense vegetation. Its ability to run at speeds up to 10 km/h through tall grass showcases its nimbleness and dexterity in challenging terrain.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong, the Corncrake possesses adequate strength for its size. Its compact body and strong legs enable it to push through dense vegetation and perform its characteristic rapid running behaviour.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Corncrake exhibits high adaptability, thriving in various habitats from grasslands to farmlands and wetlands. Its ability to adjust to different environments during its long-distance migrations and its capacity to double-clutch when conditions are favourable further demonstrate its adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Corncrakes are generally not aggressive birds. Their secretive nature and preference for avoiding confrontation by running rather than flying suggest a relatively low aggression level. However, males may display territorial behaviour during breeding season.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Corncrake's endurance is noteworthy, particularly considering its long-distance migrations between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. Its ability to maintain its distinctive call for hours, especially at night, also indicates considerable stamina.

Corncrakes are omnivorous, feeding primarily on invertebrates such as earthworms, slugs, snails, and insects. They also consume plant material, including seeds and tender shoots. Foraging occurs mainly on the ground, with the bird using its bill to probe the soil and vegetation.

Corncrakes are secretive and rarely seen, preferring to run through dense vegetation rather than fly. They are most active at dawn and dusk when males can be heard calling to establish territories and attract mates. During migration, they become more gregarious, often gathering in small groups.

The Corncrake's call is one of the most distinctive among European birds. Males produce a loud, repetitive 'crex-crex' sound reminiscent of two wooden sticks being rubbed together. This call can be heard up to 1 km away and is often repeated for hours, especially at night.

Corncrakes breed from May to August, and males establish territories through persistent calling. Females are attracted to these calls, and pair formation occurs quickly.

The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground, lined with grass and hidden in dense vegetation. Females typically lay 8-12 cream-coloured eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 16-19 days and is carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching. They can fly at about 34-38 days old.

The Corncrake typically lives for 5 to 7 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Despite its 'Least Concern' status globally, the Corncrake has experienced significant declines in parts of its range, particularly in Western Europe. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable breeding habitats and implementing bird-friendly mowing practices in agricultural areas.

Listen for the distinctive 'crex-crex' call of males at night or early morning
Look for movement in tall grass or hay meadows
Visit known breeding sites in late spring or early summer
Be patient and quiet, as Corncrakes are shy and easily spooked

Main predators include foxes, cats, and birds of prey such as harriers and owls.

Corncrakes can double-clutch, raising two broods in a single season if conditions are favourable.
They can run at speeds up to 10 km/h through dense vegetation.
The species name 'crex' is onomatopoeic, derived from its distinctive call.

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