Photo: Andrew Smith / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Red-chested Flufftail
Sarothrura rufa
Red-chested Flufftail (Sarothrura rufa) — 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 Red-chested Flufftail (Sarothrura rufa) is a member of the Sarothruridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 37.7 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 rufa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 37.7 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Sarothruridae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red-chested Flufftail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Red-chested Flufftail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red-chested Flufftail (Sarothrura rufa) is a species of bird in the Sarothruridae family, part of the order Gruiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 37.7 g, with a wing length of about 7.7 cm and a tail of around 4.5 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 4.4 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red-chested Flufftail?
The Red-chested Flufftail is a small bird that weighs around 37.7 g.
Where does the Red-chested Flufftail live?
The Red-chested 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 Red-chested Flufftail belong to?
The Red-chested Flufftail (Sarothrura rufa) belongs to the Sarothruridae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Red-chested Flufftail eat?
The Red-chested Flufftail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Red-chested Flufftail migrate?
The Red-chested Flufftail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Red-chested 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 Red-chested Flufftail make?
1 real field recording of the Red-chested Flufftail — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Red-chested Flufftail's range?
The Red-chested Flufftail has a mapped global range of about 4.4 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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