Slaty-legged Crake

The slaty-legged crake, or banded crake, is a rail about 25cm long, with a body flattened from side to side for moving through undergrowth, long toes and a short tail. It has a brown back, a chestnut head and breast, strong black-and-white barring on the flanks, belly and undertail, a white throat, a yellowish bill and, despite its name, green legs. The sexes are similar; juveniles are dark brown above and below but already show the belly barring and white throat (Wikipedia, general species account).

It breeds in swamps and wet places in well-wooded country and is mainly resident, though some northern birds move south for the winter. It is territorial but secretive, hiding in bushes when disturbed. It forages on the ground or clambers through undergrowth for berries and insects, probing mud and picking food by sight. The nest is on the ground or in a low bush, usually near forest paths and streams, and holds four to eight eggs; a study at Nilambur in Kerala found incubation took about 20 days. SoIB 2023 lists it as resident in India with movements within the country, but gives no trend or priority (Wikipedia, general species account; SoIB 2023).