Corncrake

Crex crex

Heard more often than seen, this elusive ground-dweller's rasping call is the soundtrack of summer meadows across Europe and Asia.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

22cm to 30cm

Wingspan

42cm to 53cm

Weight

125g to 210g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour

Grey Black

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Pale Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Corncrake is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Corncrake is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Corncrake can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Corncrake is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Corncrake is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Corncrake can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Corncrake can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Corncrake is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Corncrake is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Corncrake is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Corncrake is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Corncrake is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Up to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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