The spotless crake is a species of bird in the rail family, Rallidae. It is widely distributed species occurring from the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand across the southern Pacific Ocean to the Marquesas Islands to the south east along the Tuamotus island chain to Pitcairn Oeno island,
Region
Australasia and Pacific Islands
Typical Environment
Widely distributed from the Philippines and New Guinea through Australia and New Zealand, east across many Pacific island groups including the Marquesas and Tuamotus to Pitcairn (Oeno). It inhabits freshwater and brackish wetlands with dense cover such as sedgelands, rushes, reedbeds, and wet grasslands. It also uses man-made habitats like rice fields, taro patches, and drainage ditches. The species is patchy but can appear quickly after rains when ephemeral wetlands form. On small islands it may occur near coastal marshes and mangroves where cover is suitable.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small, secretive rail, the spotless crake often remains hidden in dense wetland vegetation and is more often heard than seen. Despite its name, it can show faint barring on the flanks and white undertail coverts. It readily colonizes small or temporary wetlands and can disperse over water to new sites. Its clear, clicking calls are most frequent at dusk and during the night.
Pitt Town, Australia
Spotless crake (right) with a Baillon's crake (left)
Eggs in a nest, Southwest Australia, 1913
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier over cover
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense vegetation along wetland edges. Forms monogamous pairs during breeding; both parents incubate and care for chicks. Nests are concealed platforms or cups built in thick sedges or reeds, often over shallow water.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp clicks and kek-kek series, along with thin squeaks and trills. Calling intensifies at dusk and during the night, often revealing presence in otherwise quiet marshes.
Plumage
Smooth slaty-gray head, neck, and underparts with rich dark brown upperparts and fine darker barring on the back and flanks; undertail coverts whitish with dark barring often flashed when tail is flicked.
Diet
Takes a variety of small invertebrates such as insects, spiders, worms, and snails, plus seeds and soft plant matter. Probes mud and wet leaf litter and picks items from the water surface or stems. Opportunistically consumes small aquatic larvae and occasionally fallen fruit or grains near wetlands.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along the margins of shallow water within dense sedges, rushes, and reeds. Also forages in damp grass, rice fields, taro patches, and around floating vegetation where cover is available.
