Species Profile
Spotted Crake
Porzana porzana
Spotted Crake
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
5–7 years
Length
19–22.5 cm
Weight
70–110 g
Wingspan
37–42 cm
Migration
Long-distance Migrant
Also known as: Water Crake
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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.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Yellow
- Legs
- Green
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & 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.
Distribution
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.
Calls & Sounds
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.
Conservation
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
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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