Slaty-Legged Crake

The slaty-legged crake, or banded crake, is about 25 cm long, with a body flattened from side to side for moving through undergrowth. It has a brown back, chestnut head and breast, strong black-and-white barring on the flanks, belly and undertail, a white throat, a yellowish bill and green legs. Its breeding habitat is swamps and wet areas in well-wooded country from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to the Philippines and Indonesia (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is territorial but secretive, hiding in bushes when disturbed. It probes in mud or shallow water and picks up food by sight, taking berries and insects on the ground or in undergrowth. It nests on the ground or in a low bush, usually near forest paths and streams, laying four to eight eggs (Wikipedia, general species account).