WHITE-BROWED CRAKE, Sulawesi

Although White-browed Crakes can also be found in Singapore, where they are uncommon residents, I was still pretty delighted to meet this super shy species while visiting Sulawesi's paddy fields on a rainy afternoon. True to its shy nature, I was unable to film it in the open even for a second! It is skulking among the tall reeds most of the time. Nevertheless, it was very interesting to observe how it manoeuvered while out foraging in broad daylight. Known to be crepuscular, ie, more active in the early morning and evening, the reason why I was able to spot one in the early afternoon was probably because it was still cloudy and drizzling. Its namesake white brow, actually two prominent eye stripes bordering its black mask, gives it an unmistakable look over an otherwise unremarkable body with streaked brown plumage over its upperparts & pale grey over its underparts. White-browed Crakes' natural habitat comprises freshwater wetlands. They are found over a wide range, from Southeast Asia to Northern Australia. #birds #sulawesi #wildlife #nature