Photo: Andrew Smith / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Striped Flufftail
Sarothrura affinis
Striped Flufftail (Sarothrura affinis) — 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 Striped Flufftail (Sarothrura affinis) is a member of the Sarothruridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 27.8 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 affinis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 27.8 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Sarothruridae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Striped Flufftail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Striped Flufftail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Striped Flufftail (Sarothrura affinis) belongs to the Sarothruridae family of the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, s.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 27.8 g, with a wing length of about 6.7 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 524,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Striped Flufftail?
The Striped Flufftail is a small bird that weighs around 27.8 g.
Where does the Striped Flufftail live?
The Striped Flufftail is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, s, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Striped Flufftail belong to?
The Striped Flufftail (Sarothrura affinis) belongs to the Sarothruridae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Striped Flufftail eat?
The Striped Flufftail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Striped Flufftail migrate?
The Striped Flufftail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Striped 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 Striped Flufftail make?
1 real field recording of the Striped 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 Striped Flufftail's range?
The Striped Flufftail has a mapped global range of about 524,000 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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