Spotted Crake
Least ConcernPorzana porzana
Visual Identification
Spotted Crake
Appearance
The Spotted Crake is a small, compact waterbird with distinctive white-spotted dark brown, cryptic plumage. Its short, slightly decurved bill is yellow with a reddish-orange base, while its legs and feet are yellowish-green.
Males have a blueish-grey face. Outside of the breeding season, males’ faces become less grey and more spotted, and their bellies and underparts develop more speckling.
Males and females are mostly similar. However, females are more heavily spotted on their faces and underparts and less grey all year round.
Juvenile spotted crakes have the same overall speckled plumage, but more white spotting is visible on the head, and a paler eyebrow stripe.
Size
Length
19cm to 22.5cm
Wingspan
37cm to 42cm
Weight
70g to 110g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Black
Secondary Colour
White
Beak Colour
Yellow Green
Leg Colour
Green Yellow
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Spotted Crakes inhabit freshwater wetlands with dense vegetation, including marshes, swamps, and the edges of lakes and ponds. They prefer areas with shallow water and abundant emergent plants.
These birds breed across Europe and western Asia, migrating to southern Europe, Africa, and southern Asia for winter. In the UK, they are rare summer visitors and passage migrants, with small breeding populations in eastern England.
Breeding has regularly been reported at the Lower Derwent Valley nature reserve in Yorkshire, but due to their secretive nature, sightings can never be guaranteed.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,500 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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Diet
Spotted Crakes are omnivorous, feeding primarily on small aquatic invertebrates such as insects, molluscs, and crustaceans. They also consume seeds and plant material, such as algae, aquatic grasses and roots.
They forage by picking from the water's surface or probing in mud with their bill. They also use sight to pick up prey.
Behaviour
Spotted Crakes are secretive birds, often hiding in dense vegetation. They are excellent swimmers and can walk on floating vegetation with their long toes.
These birds are primarily crepuscular, being most active during dawn and dusk.
Vocalisation
The Spotted Crake's most distinctive call is a loud, repetitive 'whuit' or 'hweet', often given at night. This call can be repeated up to 50 times per minute.
During the breeding season, males also produce a softer, whinnying trill to attract mates. Females respond with a softer note. Once paired, males become silent. A warning cry of ‘tschick’ is heard when threats are sensed.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from May to July, with pairs forming soon after arrival at breeding grounds. Males attract females with loud calls and courtship displays.
Nests are built in dense vegetation near or above water and constructed of reeds and other plant material. Females typically lay 8-12 buff-coloured eggs with reddish-brown spots.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 18-21 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching, but remain dependent on parents for several weeks. Pairs will typically raise two broods together in a season.
Lifespan
years
The Spotted Crake 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.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Spotted Crakes face threats from wetland drainage and habitat loss.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring suitable wetland habitats across their range, particularly in Europe, where breeding populations have declined.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Spotted Crakes in dense marsh vegetation, especially at dawn or dusk
- Listen for their distinctive 'whuit' call, which is often the easiest way to detect them
- Scan carefully along the edges of reedbeds and floating vegetation
- In the UK, visit wetland reserves during spring and autumn migration periods
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Water Crake
Family:
RallidaePredators
Main predators include foxes, mustelids (such as stoats and weasels), and birds of prey, particularly marsh harriers and herons.
Did You Know?
- Spotted Crakes can swim and dive proficiently despite not having webbed feet.
- They are capable of walking on floating vegetation due to their exceptionally long toes.
- These birds are more often heard than seen due to their secretive nature.
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FAQs
Can Spotted Crakes fly?
Undertaking lengthy migrations twice a year, spotted crakes are proficient at flying and cover vast distances between their breeding grounds and wintering territories.
Spotted crakes are also accomplished swimmers and are also commonly seen on land, walking close to the ground while busily flicking their tails.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Porzana porzana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22692676A86160125.
View source - 2 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International