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Birds

Black crake

Black crake · Zapornia flavirostra

The shy black crake captivates with its mysterious calls and vivid colours.

Fact file

Size: Body length 20–23 cm, weight 35–50 g, relatively small for rail species.
Males and females: Males and females look very similar, with hardly any visible differences.
Sounds: Characteristic melodic call with "kru-kru-kru" sounds, most noticeable at dusk and dawn.
Diet: Its main food is insects and their larvae, supplemented by small fish and aquatic plants.
Offspring: Breeding pairs lay 4–6 eggs; the chicks are precocial and are fed by both parents.

How to identify Black crake

The black crake has black or very dark brown plumage, which camouflages it well in its surroundings. A striking feature is its yellow or greenish-yellow bill, as well as its red or orange eyes, which stand out immediately when you get a good look.

With a body length of about 20 to 23 cm and a weight of 35 to 50 g, the black crake is one of the smaller rails in Africa. It has a compact body with a short tail and elongated yellow-green toes, which are perfectly adapted for walking on aquatic plants.