The New Guinea flightless rail, also known as the Papuan flightless rail, is a species of bird in the family Rallidae, in the monotypic genus Megacrex. Sometimes however, it was included in Amaurornis or Habroptila, but this is incorrect.
Region
New Guinea lowlands
Typical Environment
Occurs across the northern and southern lowlands of New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. It inhabits swamp forest, sago palm groves, flooded grasslands, and dense riparian thickets. The species keeps to the forest floor and edges of wetlands, favoring areas with deep leaf litter and tangled roots. It may also use overgrown gardens and village-edge swamps where cover is abundant.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The New Guinea flightless rail belongs to the family Rallidae and is the sole member of the genus Megacrex. True to its name, it rarely if ever flies and instead runs swiftly through dense swamp vegetation. It is a secretive, ground-dwelling bird of lowland wetlands, where it forages in sago and pandanus swamps. Taxonomically it has sometimes been misplaced in Amaurornis or Habroptila, but it is correctly treated as Megacrex.
Temperament
secretive and elusive
Flight Pattern
reluctant flier with short, clumsy flights when flushed; usually runs through cover
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs within dense swamp forest. Likely forms monogamous pairs that defend small territories. Nests are placed on or near the ground in dense vegetation close to water, with both adults presumed to share incubation and care of young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are low, booming hoots and gruff grunts given from cover, often at dawn and dusk. Calls carry surprisingly far through swamp forest and may include a series of deep notes followed by softer clucking.
