Amaurolimnas concolor
The Uniform Crake, Amaurolimnas concolor, is a remarkably elusive and understated member of the rail family (Rallidae), measuring approximately 19-22 cm (7.5-8.7 inches) in length. Its plumage is uniformly olive-brown to cinnamon-brown, darker on the back and crown, subtly paler and often with a rufous wash on the belly, giving it its namesake 'uniform' appearance. Distinctive field marks are largely absent, making its plainness and dark reddish-brown eyes key identifiers, alongside a yellowi...
Found in dense, humid primary or secondary forests, often near swamps, streams, or other wet areas, typically in lowland to mid-elevation zones up to 1800 meters.
Primarily feeds on small invertebrates such as insects, snails, and earthworms, supplemented with some plant material like seeds and small berries, foraged by probing in leaf litter and damp soil.
Primarily a diurnal but exceptionally secretive species, the Uniform Crake spends most of its time hidden deep within dense undergrowth, only occasionally venturing to the forest edge, particularly at dawn or dusk. It forages by walking deliberately through leaf litter and damp soil, probing with...
The Uniform Crake has a highly disjunct and fragmented distribution across the Neotropics. In Central America, isolated populations are found along the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica and in Panama, with a formerly present subspecies `A. c. insularis` now extinct in Cuba. Its main distribution span...
Near Threatened
- Its scientific name 'Amaurolimnas concolor' literally translates to 'dark or obscure marsh-dweller of one color,' perfectly encapsulating its nature. - Often dubbed the 'ghost crake' or 'phantom crake,' it is notorious for being one of the most difficult birds to observe in the Neotropics. - De...