Watercock
Gallicrex cinerea
The Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea) is a rare rails, gallinules, and coot found in 23 countries, weighing about 390 g. The watercock is a waterbird in the rail and crake family, Rallidae that is widely distributed across Southeast Asia.
About the Watercock
The watercock is a waterbird in the rail and crake family, Rallidae that is widely distributed across Southeast Asia. It is the only member of the genus Gallicrex.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adult male watercocks are 43 cm (17 in) long and weigh 476–650 g (1.049–1.433 lb). They have mainly black-grey plumage with red legs, bill, extended frontal shield and horn. Young males are buff in colour, darkening as they mature. Their bill is yellow and their legs are green. Female birds are smaller at 36 cm (14 in) and 298–434 g (10.5–15.3 oz). They are dark brown above and paler below. Their plumage is streaked and barred with darker markings. The bill is yellow and the legs are green. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Watercock?
- Adult male watercocks are 43 cm (17 in) long and weigh 476–650 g (1.049–1.433 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Watercock?
- The Watercock is a large sized bird weighing about 390 g.
- Where can you see a Watercock?
- The Watercock occurs in 23 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
- What birds look similar to a Watercock?
- The Watercock is most easily confused with the Grey-breasted Crake, the Weka and the African Rail.
- Is the Watercock endangered?
- The Watercock is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Watercock for real
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