Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Watercock

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Kingdom
  
Scientific name
  
Gallicrex cinerea

Higher classification
  
Gallicrex

Order
  
Genus
  
GallicrexBlyth, 1852

Phylum
  
Chordata

Rank
  
Species

Family
  
Rallidae

Watercock httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsee

Similar
  
White‑breasted waterhen, Rallidae, Slaty‑breasted rail, Common moorhen, Moorhen

The watercock (Gallicrex cinerea) is a waterbird in the rail and crake family, Rallidae. It is the only member of the genus Gallicrex. Traditionally held to be closely related to moorhens (which the adult male visually resembles a lot), it is actually member of a mostly tropical Asian clade containing also Aenigmatolimnas, Amaurornis, Himantornis and Megacrex.

Watercock Gallery of Watercock Gallicrex cinerea the Internet Bird

Their breeding habitat is swamps across south Asia from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to south China, Korea, Japan, Philippines and Indonesia. They nest in a dry location on the ground in marsh vegetation, laying 3-6 eggs. These large rails are mainly permanent residents throughout their range.

Watercock Oriental Bird Club Image Database Watercock Gallicrex cinerea

The body of this rail is flattened laterally to allow easier passage through the reeds or undergrowth. It has long toes and a short tail.

Watercock Watercock BirdsIITK

Adult male watercocks are 43 cm (17 in) long and weigh 476–650 g (1.049–1.433 lb). They have mainly black-grey plumage with red legs, bill, extended frontal shield and horn. Young males are buff in colour, darkening as they mature. Their bill is yellow and their legs are green.

Watercock Oriental Bird Club Image Database Watercock Gallicrex cinerea

Female birds are smaller at 36 cm (14 in) and 298–434 g (10.5–15.3 oz). They are dark brown above and paler below. the plumage is streaked and barred with darker markings. The bill is yellow and the legs are green. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails.

These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects and small fish and seeds. They forage on the ground.

Watercock are quite secretive, but are sometimes seen out in the open. They are noisy birds, especially at dawn and dusk, with a loud, gulping call.

References

Watercock Wikipedia


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