ExploreBirds

Black Crake

Zapornia flavirostra

The Black Crake is a small, colorful bird that loves to live near water. It has a bright yellow bill and can often be seen walking around in wetlands, looking for tasty bugs and seeds.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Black Crake is a small, entirely black bird with striking bright yellow legs and a vivid yellow bill. Its plumage is uniformly sooty black, making the contrasting yellow features highly visible and distinct from other dark marsh birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGruiformesFamilyRallidaeGenusAmaurornis
Black Crake
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgeomnivorous trait badgecolorful trait badge
Black Crake

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

A baby Black Crake is covered in fluffy black down when it hatches!

Despite being a water bird, Black Crakes do not have webbed feet!

Their eggs can be different shades, even in the same nest!

These secretive birds are much easier to hear calling than they are to spot!

Special abilities

Ability

Marsh Navigator

Black Crake can squeeze through dense reeds and grass because of its narrow body shape, helping it hide and move silently.

Ability

Expert Wader

Black Crake has long, strong toes that help them walk across floating vegetation without sinking, perfect for wetland life.

Ability

Secretive Forager

Black Crake can deftly probe soft mud with its pointed yellow bill to find hidden insects and larvae.

Measurements & details

Length
19-23 cm
Wingspan
30-40 cm
Weight
0.044-0.087 kg
Lifespan
3-7 years
Clutch Size
2-6
Incubation
13-19 days
Migration Distance
0 km

Diet & Feeding

Black Crakes are omnivores, munching on insects, small fish, and seeds from aquatic plants.

Primary Foods

  • Insects
  • Insect larvae
  • Small fish
  • Crustaceans
  • Aquatic seeds

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

African Fish Eagle

Haliaeetus vocifer

Juvenile or adult crakes can be prey for this large raptor.

eaten by

Nile Monitor

Varanus niloticus

Monitor lizards may prey on crake eggs, chicks, or adults.

eaten by

African Clawless Otter

Aonyx capensis

Otters are opportunistic predators in wetland environments.

hunts

Mosquito

Anopheles gambiae

Crakes feed on mosquito larvae in the water, helping control populations.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Black Crake?

19-23 cm

What is Black Crake's wingspan?

30-40 cm

How much does Black Crake weigh?

0.044-0.087 kg

How long does Black Crake live?

3-7 years

What does Black Crake eat?

Black Crakes are omnivores, munching on insects, small fish, and seeds from aquatic plants.

Where is Black Crake usually found?

Wetlands

How does Black Crake hunt?

Foraging

How many eggs does Black Crake lay?

2-6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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