Wednesday 18 May 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday 199 - Spotless Crake

One week to go until it's Wild Bird Wednesday 200!

Until then I will continue as normal!

This weeks bird is the Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis), a rare example of the a bird where the common name and the reality seem to coincide.  This bird is about 20cm long and has the typical reclusive habits of most rails - i.e. it likes hiding in reeds and dense vegetation and only coming out when you are looking in the other direction!

However, this individual must have been a bit of an exhibitionist as it came out on a number of occasions and sat in a rather nice patch of light!

This bird was photographed at that most remarkable location, Werribee Sewage Plant - which despite (or maybe because ) of its nature is a real hot spot for birds.

So, it all its spotless glory, I give you the Spotless Rail.






As ever, these picture look much better larger - so click on them to make them expand.



38 comments:

  1. sewage plants have always been my hot spot

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  2. That is an awesome bird! Love the little rails! Some of them are very tricky to find. Of course hearing them isn't a problem:)

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  3. Love the eyes and short tail! He looks to be all business!

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  4. Spotless indeed! I'm glad he wasn't as shy as rails usually are. Thanks for this and hosting.

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  5. A very cooperative Crake enabled you to get great shots of it Stewart. Many thanks for hostong and have a great week.

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  6. such a beautiful Rail. 20 cm long, but it looks smaller. Love it!

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  7. Hello, the Rails are always cool birds to see. Beautiful Rail and awesome photos. Thanks for hosting. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  8. You must have a lot of patience Stewart. These are marvelous captures of this interesting Bird. I would love to just sit and watch his antics.

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  9. Great photos of a beautiful bird. Thanks for hosting!

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  10. As always, wonderful photos!

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  11. pert and intense. great bird.

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  12. Love these shots, well done, Diane

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  13. Nice small rail species! Well spotted and captured! Gr. John

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  14. Great shots. I've never seen the Spotless Crake. His red eye is interesting and a bit eerie.

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  15. Excellent location and a great find. Just as elusive as Rallus aquaticus!

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  16. Thanks for an interesting post. The sewage plant in Austin, Texas has a research station and several paths to traverse to find birds. But all sewage plants are attractive to many species of birds.

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  17. What a cute bird! I love that stubby little tail with what appear to be black and white markings. The eyes are impressive, too. So glad it presented itself for the adoring masses! Thanks for hosting! 200 next week - are you planning a party and inviting us all over? :D

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  18. Fantastic photos and an interesting bird.

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  19. Quite similar in appearance to the Water Rail. Great pictures Stewart!
    PS on the back of your post last year, I have booked myself a couple of days off in the Farne Islands at the end of June. :-)

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  21. Maybe if he/she understood what it was it was really roaming about in it'd relocate in a hurry. I know I would. Great photos Stewart. I haven't done much Bird photography & am pretty much a beginner at photography but there's a Wetlands reserve on the outskirts of Launceston that I must get around to visiting soon with my camera.

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  22. Hello Stewart!:) How fortunate that this lovely bird was not as elusive as others of his species, so that you could get these great captures. It's the first time I have seen the Spotless Crake, but it's not an easy bird to forget, with it's gorgeous colour, red eyes, and short tail. Thank you for hosting!:)

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  23. I love his coloring ... I am a real fan of that blue gray look with the intense stare of the red eye (looks like he may have been on a bender last night :). This is a handsome bird indeed and little does he know that he has the honor of being number 199 on a long list of WBW posts ... Will you be in Scotland for the #200? Looking forward to the celebration and I am curious as to who you will choose to be "that bird" or will it be "those birds" ... I am excited for you :)

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  24. Great photos of a pretty bird, Stewart! I love his red eye.

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  25. Unusual looking bird..Great shots..New one to me..

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  26. Stewart, I wish I knew my birds the way you do!! I have pictures from Aruba and have no idea what they are!!!...:)JP

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  27. Stewart, interesting bird. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Spotless Crake? I spotted it right away in your wonderful photos...butt then again, I'm known for being spotty...

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  29. Interesting. I would not want to hang out there though.

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  30. A sweet little fellow, captured wonderfully.

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  31. Great collection of images, Stewart! I have never spotted a Crake of any kind.

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  32. Nice work Stewart. I wouldn't mind betting that they are normnally impossible to photograph even on the edge of a dark reed bed.

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  33. This bird has a very intense look about him. When I enlarged the photos, he looked even more so. Very nice photos Stewart.

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  34. Some fantastic captures, my friend. I love the red eyes.

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  35. It is such an accomplishment when I can get a clear shot of a rail. This one was indeed cooperative!

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  36. Those eyes are something!
    Lovely snaps, Stewart.
    Have a Happy Week ahead!
    Peace :)

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