Water rail

Rallus aquaticus
Rails (Rallidae)

CC-BY 2.0 rights : David Merrett

Sturdy bird with a long red beak, brown-black marked back, grey breast and throat. Black and white stripes on the flanks and dark grey wings. Long wide toes and light yellowish under the tail. The ♂ has a stronger beak than the ♀.

Found on banks close to reeds or bushes for cover. The tail is often wagged showing the yellowish undersurface when it flees. 

⇔ l. 23-28 cm

Partly migratory bird.

LA:
≈ The CREX CREX (Corncrake) lacks the long red beak and is less grey. 
≈ The young GALLINULA CHLOROPUS (Moorhen) has a shorter beak and a white band on its flanks.

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