The Corn Crake, also known as the Corncrake or Landrail (Crex crex), is a medium-sized bird belonging to the rail family. It exhibits brownish-black upperparts streaked with buff or grey, and its wings are adorned with chestnut markings. The underparts are a blue-grey hue, transitioning to rust-colored and white bars on the flanks and undertail. The bill is a robust, flesh-toned structure, the iris pale brown, and the legs and feet a pale grey. Juveniles resemble adults in plumage, while downy chicks are black, a common trait among rails.
Males are distinguishable by their slightly larger size and more vivid upperparts compared to females. The Corn Crake's distinctive chestnut wing coverts and barred flanks aid in its identification. In flight, it reveals white edges on the inner wing and its legs dangle characteristically.
The Corn Crake favors grasslands, particularly hayfields for breeding, and similar environments during winter migration. It avoids very wet habitats and prefers areas with vegetation that is not too tall or dense to walk through.
This species breeds across Europe and Asia, extending to western China, and migrates to Africa for the Northern Hemisphere's winter. Its range includes lowlands and upland regions, with some populations nesting at high altitudes.
The Corn Crake is a secretive bird, often hidden within vegetation. It exhibits a high-stepping walk and can run swiftly through grass. When disturbed, it may take a weak, fluttering flight but is capable of stronger flight over longer distances, such as during migration.
