Ruddy-breasted Crake

The ruddy-breasted crake is a rail of swamps and similar wet areas from the Indian subcontinent east to south China, Japan and Indonesia. It is 22 to 23 cm long, with a pale brown back, chestnut head and underparts, white barring on the flanks and undertail, a yellowish bill, and red eyes, legs and feet. The body is flattened sideways for moving through reeds. Juveniles are dark brown with some white spotting (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is mainly a permanent resident, though some northern birds move south in winter. It nests on dry ground in marsh vegetation, laying six to nine eggs. It probes mud and shallow water, and eats shoots, berries, insects and large snails, pecking through the shell. It is territorial but secretive (Wikipedia, general species account).