Slaty-legged Crake
Rallina eurizonoides
Small, chickenlike dweller of dense forests and tangled edges. Dark brown above, with orange head and breast and black-and-white-striped sides. Juvenile similar but with brown head and breast, narrower white stripes below. Dark lead-gray legs distinguish this species from Red-legged, Band-bellied, and Ruddy-breasted crakes, which also show different underpart patterns. Sings at night from favored tree perches, a series of doubled hoots that recall Mountain Scops-Owl.
Identification
The slaty-legged crake is about 25 cm long. Its body is flattened laterally to allow easier passage through the undergrowth. It has long toes and a short tail. Colouring includes a brown back, chestnut head and breast, and strong black-and-white barring on the flanks, belly and undertail. The throat is white, the bill is yellowish, and the legs are green. Sexes are similar; juveniles are dark brown above and below, although they have the belly barring and white throat.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Rallina eurizonoides
- Authority
- (Lafresnaye, 1845)
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Rallina
Range and habitat
Its breeding habitat is swamps and similar wet areas in well-wooded country across south Asia east from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to the Philippines and Indonesia. The rails are mainly permanent residents throughout their range, but some northern populations migrate further south in winter.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Slaty-legged crakes are territorial, but are quite secretive, hiding in bushes when disturbed. They probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They forage for berries and insects on the ground, or clambering through bushes and undergrowth. They nest in a dry location on the ground or low bush usually near forest paths and forest streams, laying 4–8 eggs. A study conducted in Nilambur, Kerala in southern India shows that the incubation period was about 20 days. full nest video with information is available on channel- Wild India by Sachin Main
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Cretzschmar's Babbler
Turdoides leucocephala
A brown babbler with a mostly white head. Note the yellow eye and the gray-brown rump. Found in areas of dense scrub and thickets in dry country, often near water, almost always in groups of several individuals. Similar to the white-headed subspecies of White-rumped Babbler, but easily separated by the dark rather than white rump. The call is a raucous babbling, usually given by a whole group in chorus.

Darwin's Nothura
Nothura darwinii
Quail-like tinamou found in a variety of open habitats including grassland, farmland, and steppe. It occupies high elevations in the northern part of its range, but can be found down to near sea level at its southern limit. Small size (compared to most tinamous) and buff belly and streaks help to identify it. Very similar to Spotted Nothura, and in the area of overlap it is usually not possible to separate them in the field; in this region Darwin’s Nothura tends to be found at higher elevations. Vocalizations include a long, ringing trill and a slow series of piping notes.

White-tipped Dove
Leptotila verreauxi
Plump, pale, ground-dwelling dove with pink legs. Widespread and common throughout Middle and South America, from Texas to Argentina. Namesake white tips on outer tail feathers more extensive than other closely related species. Paler than other relatives such as Gray-chested or Gray-headed Doves, especially on the neck and belly, with less contrasting gray or rufous tones. Found in a variety of wooded habitats; more likely to be found in disturbed or scrubby areas than congeners, but also occurs within mature forest. Occasionally visits bird feeders, but otherwise shy and difficult to see well. Listen for low cooing song, starting with a short introductory hoot followed by a longer hollow note.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.