White-browed Crake

Poliolimnas cinereus

White-browed Crake (Poliolimnas cinereus) — Cranes & Rails of South & Southeast Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of Indonesia Birds of India Birds of Malaysia Birds of the Philippines Birds of Thailand Birds of New South Wales Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Queensland Birds of Western Australia

By family

Rails, Crakes & Coots of Australia Rails, Crakes & Coots of Indonesia Rails, Crakes & Coots of India Rails, Crakes & Coots of Malaysia Rails, Crakes & Coots of the Philippines Rails, Crakes & Coots of Thailand Rails, Crakes & Coots of New South Wales Rails, Crakes & Coots of Northern Territory Rails, Crakes & Coots of Queensland Rails, Crakes & Coots of Western Australia

See what's near you right now

The White-browed Crake (Poliolimnas cinereus) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 52.1 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
Genus Poliolimnas
Species cinereus

Where it lives

Northeastern India, southern southeastern Asia, Malay Pen., Indonesian Arch. and Philippines, New Guinea and some satellites, northern Australia to west-central Polynesia

Quick facts

Weight: 52.1 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Rallidae
Order: Gruiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The White-browed Crake hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The White-browed Crake is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The White-browed Crake (Poliolimnas cinereus) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU ne India, s se Asia, Malay Pen., Indonesian Arch. and Philippines, New Guinea and some satellites, n Australia to wc Polynesia.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 52.1 g, with a wing length of about 9.4 cm and a tail of around 4.9 cm.

Songs & calls

White-browed Crake — Call

Recorded by Peter Boesman Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the White-browed Crake?

The White-browed Crake is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 52.1 g.

Where does the White-browed Crake live?

The White-browed Crake is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU ne India, s se Asia, Malay Pen., Indonesian Arch. and Philippines, New Guinea and some satellites, n Australia to wc Polynesia, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the White-browed Crake belong to?

The White-browed Crake (Poliolimnas cinereus) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.

What does the White-browed Crake eat?

The White-browed Crake hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the White-browed Crake migrate?

The White-browed Crake is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

What sound does the White-browed Crake make?

1 real field recording of the White-browed Crake — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.