Russet-crowned Crake (Anurolimnas viridis)

Identification & Behavior: ~15.7 cm (6.2 in). The Russet-crowned Crake has russet underparts and crown. The upperparts are olive-gray with gray sides of the head. The iris is red. Favors tall grass and mixed grass/shrubs near water and also in hilly areas away from water. It somewhat resembles the Black-banded Crake and to a lesser extent the Chestnut-headed Crake, but is distinguished by solid russet underparts, and gray sides of the head.

Status: The Russet-crowned Crake is fairly common in places they are known to occur, but it apparently has disjunct populations. It is known to occur in the foothill of the Andes, but not in the Amazonian lowlands. It also occurs in the Tropical Savannah of Pampas del Heath. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Gallineta de Corona Rufa.

Sub-species: Russet-crowned Crake (Anurolimnas viridis) Statius Müller, PL, 1776.

Meaning of Name: Anurolimnas: Gr. Amaurus= dark brown and limnas, limne= marsh, swamp. viridis: L. viridis= green.

See more of the Family Rallidae