Paint-billed Crake

Mustelirallus erythrops

Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) — Cranes & Rails of South America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 18 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Argentina Birds of Brazil Birds of Colombia Birds of Costa Rica Birds of Ecuador Birds of Peru Birds of the United States Birds of Texas Birds of Virginia

By family

Rails, Crakes & Coots of Argentina Rails, Crakes & Coots of Brazil Rails, Crakes & Coots of Colombia Rails, Crakes & Coots of Costa Rica Rails, Crakes & Coots of Ecuador Rails, Crakes & Coots of Peru Rails, Crakes & Coots of the United States Rails, Crakes & Coots of Texas Rails, Crakes & Coots of Virginia

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The Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) is a member of the Rallidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 58.3 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
Genus Mustelirallus
Species erythrops

Where it lives

Widespread

South America

Quick facts

Weight: 58.3 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Rallidae
Order: Gruiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Australian Crake

Porzana fluminea

Least Concern

Spotted Crake

Porzana porzana

Least Concern

Rufous-sided Crake

Laterallus melanophaius

Least Concern

Sora

Porzana carolina

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Paint-billed Crake hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

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

Migration

The Paint-billed Crake is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA widespread.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 58.3 g, with a wing length of about 9.7 cm and a tail of around 4.3 cm.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Paint-billed Crake?

The Paint-billed Crake is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 58.3 g.

Where does the Paint-billed Crake live?

The Paint-billed Crake is found across South America with a range covering SA widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Paint-billed Crake belong to?

The Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.

What does the Paint-billed Crake eat?

The Paint-billed Crake hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Paint-billed Crake migrate?

The Paint-billed Crake is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.