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Secretive crake of rainforest habitats where there is thick cover alongside a stream or pool.
Not listed
Indigenous: Red-Necked Rail
At a glance
FamilyRails, Gallinules, and Coots
SizeMedium
RarityUncommon
HabitatReedbeds, marsh edges, farm dams, sedgelands, and thick waterside vegetation.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from October to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Peter Boesman
Range map
Range map
96visible hotspots
2795visible records
1states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Usually shy, but patient observation at dusk may reward viewers with a sighting. Adult dark olive-brown with rich chestnut head and chest, greenish-yellow bill, black-and-white banded undertail, and red legs. Juvenile mostly dusky. Gives an accelerating sequence of short repeated squawks and squeaks, as well as slower clicks.
Behavior
Secretive crake of rainforest habitats where there is thick cover alongside a stream or pool.
Gallery