The Baillon's crake (Porzana pusilla) is a very small waterbird in the rails family. They are 16?18 cm in length, and are similar to the only slightly larger little crake. Baillon's crake has a short straight bill, yellow or green without a red base. Adults have mainly brown upperparts with some white markings, and a blue-grey face and underparts. The rear flanks are barred black and white. They have green legs with long toes, and a short tail which is barred underneath. Immature Baillon's crakes are similar to the adults, but have extensively barred underparts. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails. Baillon's crakes are very secretive in the breeding season, and are then mostly heard rather than seen. They can be easier to see on migration or when wintering.
Habitat and Distribution
It is a resident breeder in Africa.
These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects and aquatic animals.
Calls and Songs
They are noisy birds, with a rattling call like that of the edible frog, or perhaps garganey.