UKBirds

Baillon's Crake

Porzana pusilla

The Baillon's Crake (Porzana pusilla) is a very small waterbird of the family Rallidae.

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.