The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of birds for residing and nesting. Crakes are no exception in this regard. Various types of crakes have been recorded in India. These crakes are described below.
Ruddy-Breasted Crake
The breeding habitat of Ruddy-Breasted Crake is found in India. The bill of the bird is yellowish in color. The bird has chestnut head and underparts. The back of the bird is pale brown. There is white colored barring present on the flanks and undertail. This crake has red colored eyes, legs and feet. The toes are long and the tail is short. The body is flattened laterally to facilitate easier passage through the reeds or undergrowth. The male and female crakes are known to be similar. If the bird is dark brown with some white spotting, it can then be identified as a juvenile.
Andaman Crake
Andaman Crake is endemic to India. This crake is a glossy chestnut bird. It has bright apple-green colored bill. It has pale barring on wings confined to outer primaries and greater and medium coverts. There is extensive bold barring on the underparts. The bird has olive-green legs and feet. The undertail coverts are unbarred. The tail is relatively long and fluffy. If the bird is duller and less prominently barred, it can then be identified as a juvenile.
Slaty Legged Crake
The breeding habitat of Slaty Legged Crake is found in India. This crake has yellowish bill. The head and breast of the bird are chestnut in color. The throat of the bird is white in appearance. The bird has a brown colored back. There is a strong black-and-white barring on the flanks, belly and undertail. The legs are green in color. The toes are long and the tail is short. The body is flattened laterally to facilitate easier passage through the undergrowth.
Black-Tailed Crake
Black-Tailed Crake has bluish green bill, with bluish tip and reddish brown eyes. The bird has ashy gray head and neck. The underparts are also ashy gray in color, whereas the upperparts are rufous brown. The legs and toes are long and red in color. The flattened body of this crake facilitates its movement through reeds.
Baillon`s Crake
Baillon`s Crake has brown upperparts, with some white markings. The underparts, face and throat are gray in color. It has short, straight and yellowish bill and reddish eyes. The long legs and toes are greenish. In some species, the throat and belly may be whitish.
Other Indian Crakes
White-Browed Crake, Little Crake and Corn Crake are some of the other crakes which have been recorded in India.
