The ocellated crake is a small terrestrial species of bird in the family Rallidae that is native to the grassland and savanna habitats of Central America and South America. Though it is not often seen, it is easily recognizable by its cinnamon plumage with black and white mottling. This species was formerly placed in its own genus Micropygia .
Region
Central America and South America
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily from southern Central America (e.g., Costa Rica and Panama) through northern South America into the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, and widely across Brazil, with scattered populations in Bolivia and Paraguay. It favors tall, dense native grasslands, seasonally wet savannas, and lightly grazed pastures. Within Brazil it is closely associated with Cerrado grasslands and campo habitats. It keeps to cover, using runways through grass tussocks and foraging along edges of paths, burns, and termite mounds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The ocellated crake is a tiny, ground-dwelling rail of tall grasslands, famed for its cinnamon plumage patterned with black-and-white eye-like spots. It is extremely secretive and more often detected by its long, insect-like trills than seen. The species was formerly placed in the monotypic genus Micropygia but is now often treated in Rufirallus. Fire and grazing can temporarily improve detectability as birds forage along fresh regrowth.
Ocellated crake in habitat
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low fluttering bursts
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense grass where it runs rather than flies. Nests are placed low in grass clumps, often dome-like with a side entrance. Breeding seasons vary locally with rainfall, and pairs defend small territories through vocal duets and trills.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A long, insect-like trill or series of accelerating notes that carries far through grasslands, often given at dawn and dusk. Calls can include sharp chips and rattles during territorial interactions.
