Paint-billed Crake
Where to Look
- Santa Cruz Highlands
Similar Galapagos Species
Common Gallinule
Identification
Easily distinguished from both smaller Galapagos Rail and much larger Common Gallinule by combination of red and yellow bill and overall paler appearance .
Description
This species has overall blue-grey plumage with an olive brown back and nape,a black and white barred vent, pinkish-red legs and a pale yellow-green bill with a red base. Sexes are alike. Juveniles resemble adults, but lack the red base to their bills.
Galapagos Distribution
Found on most major islands, with records from Isabela, Floreana, San Cristobal, Santiago and Santa Cruz. Also fairly regularly recorded on Genovesa. Found in moist forests with dense understoreys. Most common on Santa Cruz.
Global Distribution
Irregularly distributed throughout South America, with populations in central Venezuala and Colombia, Brazil’s Atlantic coast, coastal Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, SW Peru and from SE Peru through Bolivia and Paraguay to N Argentina.
Status in the Galapagos
Uncommon to common, easily overlooked resident.