Black-tailed crake (Zapornia bicolor)

It’s quite amazing to hear this loud and striking sound and not being able to see where it’s coming from. In this case, all I saw was a waterlogged landscape with lush vegetation surrounding rice fields, and this sound. Is it far, close by, or just under your nose? At first I thought it was quite far away.

The only clear indication is looking for movements of the vegetation, or tiny ripples in the water, as it moves around very fast and effortlessly under all the plants where it feels safe and protected.

It appeared this was very close to my position, and it was roaming around in what seemed like waterways. Sometimes I could see it very briefly in the open as it turned what seemed like a crossroad of sorts – one leading out in the open, and the other continuing inside the dense foliage of grasses and water loving plants.

It was surprisingly unwary of my presence and I thus got several very intimate captures.

Black-tailed crake (Zapornia bicolor)

Black-tailed crake (Zapornia bicolor)

Black-tailed crake (Zapornia bicolor)

Black-tailed crake (Zapornia bicolor)

It sounds like this:

Elevation: 837 meters

Last updated on 8 November 2024