The black-tailed crake (Zapornia bicolor) is a small bird belonging to the crake and rail family, Rallidae. Sometimes the crake is placed in genus Porzana or genus Amaurornis. The black-tailed crake is distributed in Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, East and South-central China, North Thailand, North Laos and North Vietnam.
Taxonomy of Black-tailed crake
- Scientific Name: Zapornia bicolor
- Common Name: Black-tailed crake
- French: Marouette bicolore; German: Zweifarb-Sumpfhuhn; Spanish: Polluela bicolor;
- Other names: Porzana bicolor Walden, 1872; Amaurornis bicolor;
- Family: Rallidae › Gruiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Species author: (Walden, 1872)
Description
The black-tailed crake are small birds measuring 20 to 25 cm. The black-tailed crake have rufous brown upper parts. The head, neck and underpart are contrasting ashy gray. The tail is blackish. The bill is bluish green with bluish tip. The eyes are reddish brown. The legs and toes are long and colored red. The body is flattened and helps in their movement through reeds. Their call is a repetitive “waak-waak” sound. |
| Indian birds - Black-tailed Crake - Zapornia bicolor |
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| Birds of India - Black-tailed Crake - Zapornia bicolor |
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| Indian birds - Black-tailed Crake - Zapornia bicolor |
Habitat
These crake species inhabit subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, wetlands, marshes, dense swamps, reedbeds and paddy fields.Feeding habits
The black-tailed crake feeds on invertebrates, aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, worms and mollusks. It also feeds on seeds, grass, shoots and berries.Breeding
These crake species breed during May to August in the Indian subcontinent. It may vary elsewhere. The males are monogamous. The nest is built on dry ground in marshes.Distribution
These crake species are distributed in Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, East and South-central China, North Thailand, North Laos and North Vietnam.Movement and migration Patterns
These species are resident birds in most of their ranges. They may make local movements for breeding and feeding.Conservation status and concerns
The black-tailed crake global population is not estimated, but there is a steady decline. However, as it has a very large range, it is considered not Vulnerable. Destruction, modification and fragmentation of the wetlands, marshes and mangroves are the main threats for the survival of these crake species.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these black-tailed crake species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".
| Biological classification of Zapornia bicolor | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Gruiformes |
| Family: | Rallidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Zapornia |
| Species: | Z. bicolor |
| Binomial name: | Zapornia bicolor |
| Distribution: | Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, East and South-central China, North Thailand, North Laos and North Vietnam; |
| Feeding habits: | feeds on invertebrates, aquatic insects, land insects, worms, small frogs, and mollusks; also feeds on seeds, grass, shoots and berries; |
| IUCN status listing: |  Least Concern |
1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black-tailed_crake.jpg
Image author: Jason Thompson |License: CC BY 2.0
2.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Black-tailed_Crake_Khangchendzonga_Biosphere_Reserve_West_Sikkim_India_15.02.2016.jpg
Image author: Dibyendu Ash | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
3.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Amaurornis_bicolor_-_Doi_Inthanon.jpg
Image author: JJ Harrison | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
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