Red-chested Flufftail
Sarothrura rufa
Marshlands. Small, secretive. Head, nape and upper breast chestnut.
Crakes, Flufftails, Rails
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Fairly common resident. Very similar to [Buff-spotted Flufftail], but seldom overlaps in habitat. Further distinguished by reddish colouring of male extending onto its mantle and lower breast, mostly black tail and streaked (not spotted) upper parts. Female is much darker but paler on chest and throat. The normal call is a much-repeated ‘ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-duehdueh-dueh…’, but also utters a quail-like ‘ick-kick-kick-kick…’ and a loud, rapid squeaking ‘dui-dui-dui…’ up to 40 times, fading at the end. A secretive bird of marshes, damp valleys and vleis, where it remains concealed in dense vegetation.
Quick Facts
Size
15-17 cm - S
Names
A: Rooiborsvleikuiken
Z: ubhavuzilobomvana
Ss: Tsuanelehlaka Ya Sefubafubedu
G: Rotbrust-Zwergralle
Bird Family
Small birds associated with wetlands. They are highly secretive and difficult to flush, but once airborne fly a short distance with legs dangling before dropping back into cover; they can seldom be flushed a second time. Calls are usually the only indication of a species' presence. Crakes and rails have mostly cryptic colouring. The minute flufftails or pygmy crakes show marked sexual dimorphism.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
