Rufous-sided Crake
Laterallus melanophaius
The Rufous-sided Crake (Laterallus melanophaius) is a uncommon rails, gallinules, and coot found in 12 countries, weighing about 52 g. The rufous-sided crake is a species of bird in subfamily Rallinae of family Rallidae, the rails, gallinules, and coots.
About the Rufous-sided Crake
The rufous-sided crake is a species of bird in subfamily Rallinae of family Rallidae, the rails, gallinules, and coots. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufous-sided crake is 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) long and weighs about 50 to 60 g (1.8 to 2.1 oz). The sexes are alike. Both subspecies' bills have a gray maxilla with a pea green cutting edge and a pale pea green mandible with a white tip. Their legs and feet are light gray brown to olive brown. The nominate subspecies has dark olive brown upperparts with a gray tinge around the eye. The face and sides of the breast are rufous to cinnamon rufous. Voice: The rufous-sided crake's song is "a rubbery musical trill" much like those of other Laterallus crakes. Its calls include ""high-pitched tinkling calls short treeeeeng a harsh, descending djreer."
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Suriname.
When to see it
The Rufous-sided Crake can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufous-sided Crake?
- The rufous-sided crake is 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) long and weighs about 50 to 60 g (1.8 to 2.1 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-sided Crake?
- The Rufous-sided Crake is a small sized bird weighing about 52 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-sided Crake?
- The Rufous-sided Crake occurs in 12 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-sided Crake?
- The Rufous-sided Crake is most easily confused with the Ruddy Crake, the Grey-breasted Crake and the White-throated Crake.
- Is the Rufous-sided Crake endangered?
- The Rufous-sided Crake is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rufous-sided Crake for real
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