Appearance:

Fairly large rail with secretive behaviour. Distinguished by long red bill, brownish upperparts, slate grey underparts, and coarsely barred flanks. White and unmarked vent often visible due to frequently used posture with flirted tail. Long legs and toes visible in flight.

Sound:

Varied but distinct. Most heard is the territorial song consisting of short, nasal, sharp grunts "tuck- tuck-tuck", ending with a drawn-out trill rising and falling in pitch "kiiiieeerrrr". Another diagnostic call is heard from excited birds; a longer pig-like shrilling squeal, with waning repetitions. A bit like someone squeezing a rubber toy. Also short and sharp calls "kvii".

Song:

Pig call:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Sounds:Recorded by Edmunds Racinskis

Appearance:

Very large and heavy bird with heavy bill and rounded tail with straight outer tail-feathers. Both sexes lack wing-bars. Males much bigger than females. Plumage mostly black with brown wings and yellowish bill. Females mottled brown with brick-red breast, throat and chin. Lower back greyish, contrasting with rufous, heavily barred, tail.

Sound:

Display-sounds from male unmistakable. Four phased song: First a slow introductory, double-tapping phase which suddenly bursts into an accelerating crescendo followed by a distinct pop. Then closing with grinding and hissing sounds. Female calls with a deep nasal "kok kok".

Song/display:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Hannu Jännes, Licence,Link.