The Colombian crake is a species of bird in the subfamily Rallinae of the rail, crake, and coot family Rallidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.
Region
Northern Andes and Chocó–Darién
Typical Environment
This species occupies lowland freshwater and brackish wetlands, including marshes, reedbeds, wet grasslands, and the edges of swamps and slow-moving streams. It also uses human-modified habitats such as rice paddies and seasonally flooded pastures where cover is dense. Birds remain close to thick emergent vegetation, moving along muddy margins and shallow water. It is patchy but can be locally fairly common in suitable habitat. Seasonal inundation and plant structure strongly influence local occurrence.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Colombian crake is a shy, marsh-dwelling rail that slips through dense wetland vegetation and is more often heard than seen. It inhabits lowland wetlands from eastern Panama through western Colombia to northwestern Ecuador. Its presence is often detected at dawn and dusk by its series of sharp, whistled notes. Although localized, it can use seasonally flooded pastures and rice fields when natural marshes are limited.
Temperament
secretive and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, low flights
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, slipping through dense reeds and grasses. Nests are placed low over water or in thick vegetation, likely a shallow platform of plant material. Both adults are thought to participate in nesting duties, as in many rails. Vocal activity increases during breeding, aiding territory defense and mate contact.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Most often a series of sharp, high-pitched whistles that may accelerate or descend in a short sequence, delivered from cover. It also gives rattling or chattering notes during agitation. Calling peaks at dawn, dusk, and occasionally at night.
Plumage
Warm brown to rufescent-brown upperparts with a slaty-gray face and breast; flanks boldly barred black and white. Underparts grade to paler gray or buff toward the belly with whitish undertail coverts. Wings and mantle show richer rufous tones; tail is short. Overall appearance is compact with dense feathering suited to pushing through marsh vegetation.
Diet
Feeds on small invertebrates such as insects, spiders, snails, and worms picked from mud, shallow water, and vegetation. It also takes seeds, tender shoots, and occasionally grains in agricultural fields. Foraging is methodical, with probing and gleaning along muddy edges and among emergent stems. Opportunism allows it to exploit seasonal abundance in flooded areas.
Preferred Environment
Forages along the edges of marshes, in dense sedges and reeds, and in shallowly flooded pastures. Rice fields and wet ditches are used where cover is adequate, especially near undisturbed pockets of vegetation.
