Corn Crake
Scientific Name: Crex crexMaltese Name: Gallozz Ahmar
Family: Rails (Rallidae)
Occurence: Very Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Corn Crake's breeds across Europe and western Asia, migrating to Africa in winter. It has mainly brown, heavily spotted upper parts, a blue-grey head and neck, and reddish streaked flanks. It has a short bill and shows chestnut wings and long dangling legs in flight. Its breeding habitat is not marshes as with most crakes, but, as the name implies, meadows and arable farmland. It is in steep decline across most of its range because modern farming practices mean that nests and birds are destroyed by mowing or harvesting before breeding is finished. The Corn Crake is very secretive in the breeding season, and heard far more often than it is seen. It is hard to flush, walking away through the vegetation. The song, mainly heard at night and very early morning, is a repetitive, far-carrying crex crex. This bird feeds mainly on insects, as well as seeds and frogs.
Status:
Scarce and Irregular Autumn and Spring migrant. Rarely seen by birdwatchers due to its choice of habitat and its secretive mode of life.
When to See:
Late March till Mid-May and late August till November.
Where to See:
Wheat fields.
Photographs:
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Corn Crake, September 1992, Malta |
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