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Baillon's Crake
(Porzana pusilla)
: "Marsh Crake",
"Tiny Crake"
Size: 15-18 cm
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Baillon's Crakes are small wetland birds. They have highly
cryptic plumage. Their front (sides of
head, throat, breast) is light-grey. The cap and nape of the neck
and uppertail are brown, while the wings are brown with dark-brown
and white speckles. The irises are red, the bill, legs and feet are
olive-green.
Juvenile
Baillon's Crakes have paler colours than
adults;
in particular, their front is rufous to light-brown, rather than
grey, and they have near-white malar stripes.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Baillon's
Crake at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of Baillon's Crake is available
HERE
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Baillon's Crakes are a partially migratory species with a
wide-ranging distribution.
The Eurasian population breeds in parts of (mainly eastern) Europe
and farther East, northwards of the North coast of the Black
Sea, into central Asia. Recent records establish that
they are also found in parts of Germany, the Netherlands
and France.
The European population migrates South to spend the northern
winters in East Africa, while the Asian population tends to
migrate towards South Asia. On their migrations they are
occasionally found in areas such as e.g. Asia Minor, the
Middle East and Arabia.
There are also sedentary populations in southern Asia and
in Australia.
In Oman Baillon's Crakes
are winter visitors or migrants travelling via Arabia. They are
found along the North coast, where they have been reported in
several locations.
Baillon's Crakes have a preference for well-vegetated
swamps around freshwater and brackish water.
They often shelter in sedges or reeds.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
We have not seen any Baillon's Crakes in Oman yet, but have
previously spotted race "palustris"
in Australia.
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Photos |
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We have not taken photos of Baillon's Crakes in Oman yet, but
have previously photographed race "palustris"
in Australia.
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
