Water 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.
