Photo: DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Buff-spotted Flufftail
Sarothrura elegans
Buff-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura elegans) — Cranes & Rails of Africa.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Buff-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura elegans) is a member of the Sarothruridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 46 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Sarothruridae Flufftails & Forest Rails
- Genus Sarothrura
- Species elegans
Quick facts
- Weight
- 46 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Sarothruridae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Buff-spotted Flufftail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Buff-spotted Flufftail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Buff-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura elegans) belongs to the Sarothruridae family of the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 46 g, with a wing length of about 8.5 cm and a tail of around 3.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Buff-spotted Flufftail?
The Buff-spotted Flufftail is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 46 g.
Where does the Buff-spotted Flufftail live?
The Buff-spotted Flufftail is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Buff-spotted Flufftail belong to?
The Buff-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura elegans) belongs to the Sarothruridae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Buff-spotted Flufftail eat?
The Buff-spotted Flufftail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Buff-spotted Flufftail migrate?
The Buff-spotted Flufftail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Buff-spotted Flufftail endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Buff-spotted Flufftail make?
1 real field recording of the Buff-spotted Flufftail — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Buff-spotted Flufftail's range?
The Buff-spotted Flufftail has a mapped global range of about 7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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