Observe and photograph a species in its natural habitat
Learn where and when to observe a species in the wild, how to recognize it in the field, and what habitats it lives in. Get photography tips adapted to its behavior and capture stunning images without disturbing the animal. For full details, open the complete profile in the WildlifePhotographer app.
Corn crake
Scientific name: Crex crex
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Family: RALLIDAE
Group: Birds
Shyness: Very shy
Safe distance: 50 m
Breeding season / Courtship: 01.05-31.07
Gestation: 16–18 jours
Births: 34–38 jours
Habitat:
Damp grasslands, tall vegetation and marshy field edges
Description:
The corn crake is a rail in the family Rallidae, measuring 23–28 cm with cryptically streaked brown plumage and grey legs. It inhabits damp grasslands and tall vegetation, feeding mainly on insects, earthworms and molluscs taken from the ground. During breeding, the male emits a loud, repeated “crek-crek” call both night and day to attract females and defend territory.
Recommended lens:
>=500 mm
Photography tips:
Set up quietly at the edge of tall grass at dawn or dusk when males are calling. Use silent shooting mode to avoid disturbance and work at ground level to capture its elusive silhouette among the vegetation.
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