Home > Indian History > Flora & Fauna > Water Cock
Water Cock
Water Cock is an Indian bird concentrated in the Indian states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and in the extreme southern part.

Share this Article:

Water Cock, Indian BirdWater Cock is an Indian Bird that bears a scientific name of "Gallicrex cinerea". Water Cock is a water bird in the rail and crake family of Rallidae. Water Cock is the one and only member of the genus Gallicrex. The global population size of Water Cock has not been quantified, though national population estimates include: 100-10,000 breeding pairs and 50-1,000 individuals on migration in China; 100,000 breeding pairs and 1,000 individuals on migration in Taiwan.100-10,000 breeding pairs and 50-1,000 individuals on migration in Korea and 50 individuals on migration in Japan. Water Cock has the wetland concentration in swamps and the moist lands.

Breeding of Water Cock
The breeding habitat of Water Cock is swamps across south Asia from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to south China, Korea, Japan, Philippines and Indonesia.

Nests of Water Cock
Water Cock nest in a dry location on the ground in marsh vegetation, laying 3-6 eggs. These large rails are mainly permanent residents throughout their range.

Body of Water Cock
The body of Water Cock is flattened laterally to allow easier passage through the reeds or undergrowth. It has long toes and a short tail.

Structure of Water Cock
The adult male Water Cocks are 43 cm long and weigh 476-650 gram. Water Cocks have mainly black-grey plumage with red legs, bill, extended frontal shield and horn. Young males are buff in colour, darkening as they mature. Their bill is yellow and their legs are green. The female Water Cocks are smaller at 36 centimetres and 298-434 gram.

Colour of Water Cock
Water Cocks are dark brown above and paler. Below the plumage is streaked and barred with darker markings. The bill is yellow and the legs are green. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails.

Concentration of Water Cock
Water Cocks probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. Water Cocks mainly eat insects and small fish and seeds. They forage on the ground of swampy moist lands and the vast semi watery region of Indian states.

Behaviour of Water Cock
Water Cocks are quite secretive, but are sometimes seen out in the open. They are noisy birds, especially at dawn and dusk, with a loud, gulping call.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Flora & Fauna


Flora Of Uttarakhand
Uttaranchal falls under the west Himalayan Biogeography zone and it is well-known for floral diversity .
Flora and Fauna of Ladakh
Flora and Fauna is typical to t he kind of mountainous terrain which dominate the entire landscape of the region. Though some varieties of fauna are to be found here, the vegetation is very limited due to the dry and cold climate.
Flora and fauna in Tripura
Two-thirds of Tripura is forested where different species of trees, orchids, birds and wildlife are found. There are four sanctuaries in the state namely, Rowa wildlife sanctuary, Sepahijala wildlife sanctuary, Trishna wildlife sanctuary and Gumti wildlife sanctuary.
Flora and Fauna in Meghalaya
70 percent of Meghalaya is forested. Meghalayan forests are considered to be among the richest botanical habitats of Asia. These forests receive abundant rainfall and support a vast variety of floral and faunal biodiversity.
Flora and Fauna of Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is rich in flora and fauna. Flora includes thorn bush type of the arid plain to the temperate and alpine flora of the higher altitudes. Faunal species found here are leopard, cheetah and deer, wild sheep, bear, brown musk shrew, muskrat; varieties of snakes, bats, lizards etc.
Flora and fauna in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Economy of this region is primly based on agriculture. In Andaman island, paddy is the main food crop, while in Nicoabar island coconut and areca nut are the main crops. Some field crops like pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are also grown here.
Flora And Fauna Of Uttar Pradesh
Flora and Fauna of Uttar Pradesh is widely diversified and adds pride to the state.
Flora and fauna of Kerala
Flora and Fauna of Kerala are diverse. The favourable climate with heavy rainfall and good quality of the soils helps both the flora and fauna to thrive. Forest covers a large area in the Western Ghats of Kerala.
Flora and fauna of Karnataka
Flora and fauna of Karnataka are diverse and comprise of plants, animals, birds, reptiles, etc. Flora of Karnataka comprises of species like eucalyptus, teak and rosewood. Fauna of Karnataka comprises of species like leopard, gaur and wild pig.
Flora and Fauna of Rajasthan
The flora and fauna of Rajasthan supports all kinds of animal species and forests. The diverse flora and fauna of Rajasthan has made it a popular tourist destination.
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh includes infinite species and is a subject of great interests for the botanists.
Flora and Fauna of Manipur
Flora and fauna of Manipur are known to be the assemblage of a huge variety including the endangered ones. The place is especially famed for orchid species which includes the most vibrant and beautiful ones of the world.