A small rail of 14 to 16 cm with an olive-brown back, flanks barred white and black, and a soft reddish-chestnut head and neck. The breast is chestnut and the belly is barred. The legs are grayish. It inhabits the edges of reedbeds, flooded rushbeds and damp grassland. More vocal than other crakes: it gives a rhythmic song of low notes that it repeats frequently at dawn.
Behaviour
It walks among the emergent vegetation looking for insects, small crustaceans and the seeds of aquatic plants. Despite being very vocal, it is very hard to see directly. It sometimes pokes its head out of the reeds before hiding again.
How and when to see it
Dawn in wetlands with rush beds. Its song is the only reliable sign of its presence. Portal Laguna Iberá, Galarza and Carambola.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where rufous-sided crake has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where rufous-sided crake lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameRufous-sided Crake
- Scientific nameLaterallus melanophaius
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
Other species of the Iberá
Discover all the wildlife of the Iberá
More than 250 species with photos, profiles and the gateways where you can see them. Map, providers and trip planner. Free, no download needed.
Open Iberá Experience