Spotted Crake Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

The Spotted Crake is a summer visitor to the UK, wintering in Africa. These medium sized waterbirds are similar in size to Starlings and slightly smaller than Water Rails. Although there are an estimated 50,000 to 180,000 breeding pairs of Spotted Crakes in Europe, reports of UK sightings are extremely rare.

Adults can be distinguished by their brownish backs covered in darker streaks and their distinctive blue and grey face. They have an olive-brown breast which is sprinkled with white or pale spots. Look out for their yellow-brown bill which has a reddish-orange spot near the base. Spotted Crakes also have greenish legs with long toes.

In this article we take a close look at these elusive wading birds, keep reading to find out more.

How Long Does A Spotted Crake Live?

Although recorded data on the lifespan of the Spotted Crake is limited, the average life expectancy of this elusive bird is around 3 to 4 years. They reach sexual maturity at 1 year and some individual birds have survived for around 7 years.

The survival rate of the Spotted Crake is subject to many factors including environmental conditions, the availability of food, predation and pollution.

How Fast Can A Spotted Crake Fly?

The Spotted Crake has been recorded flying at speeds of up to 29 mph ( 46.5 km/h) or 13 metres per second. These flights typically occur at night when there’s a reduced risk of becoming the prey of aerial predators like Sparrowhawks or Peregrine Falcons.

When in its natural habitat the Spotted Crake only tends to fly short distances and then only if disturbed. They are more likely to run and hide in dense vegetation rather than flying away.

Are Spotted Crakes Aggressive?

Spotted Crakes are often aggressive towards any other birds that intrude on their nests. This nest protective aggression is common among many species of birds. 

During nesting, Spotted Crakes are typically seen on their own or in pairs or small family groups and will not allow any other birds to get close. This is also true at their feeding grounds, where Spotted Crakes will chase away any intruders.

However, during migration they become more social and will tolerate large groups and flock together on their migratory journeys.

What Is A Spotted Crake’s Habitat?

Spotted Crakes can be found in freshwater wetlands in areas with shallow water and surrounded by dense reeds or other aquatic vegetation. They prefer sedge beds and marshlands and breed across Europe and western Asia.

Spotted Crakes spend their winters in warmer climes in places like Africa, the Middle East, India and Pakistan. They tend to arrive in the UK around April and remain throughout the British summer time.

Spotted Crakes breed in isolated areas of the British Isles and Spain, across southern Scandinavia and down to the Mediterranean coast as well as in Russia, Iran, the Arabian peninsula as well as China and Mongolia.

How Long Does It Take For A Spotted Crake To Build A Nest?

It generally takes 2 to 5 days for the Spotted Crake to build a nest. The construction time depends on the availability of building materials and the conditions of the habitat.

Both the male and female take part in the building of the nest which is typically a shallow cup made from grasses, reeds and other locally sourced plant materials usually concealed in dense vegetation close to water.

Eggs

Once the nest has been successfully constructed, the pair move onto the next stage in their development which is the laying of their eggs.

When Do Spotted Crakes Lay Eggs?

The female Spotted Crake will lay her first brood of eggs in April and will often raise 2 broods between April and July. Whilst those Spotted Crakes that nest in Russia and Central Asia typically don’t start laying eggs until a month later in May.

How Many Eggs Does A Spotted Crake Lay?

A typical clutch of Spotted Crake eggs will consist of anywhere between 6 to 14 eggs. With an average clutch  usually containing 5 to 8 eggs.

The number of eggs laid can vary and is dependent on the health and age of the female. With older, healthier individuals more likely to lay more eggs.

What Do Spotted Crake Eggs Look Like?

The eggs are a creamy buff colour and covered with brown blotches or specks. The eggs are around 34 x 24 mm in size and oval shaped.

How Long Do Spotted Crake Eggs Take To Hatch?

The eggs are incubated for around 18 to 20 days with both parents involved in the incubation duties. They take it in turn to sit on the eggs and keep them warm whilst their partner is out foraging for food.

Chicks

Once the eggs hatch, we move onto the next stage in the life cycle of the Spotted Crake, the chicks.

How Many Chicks Does A Spotted Crake Have?

The number of chicks that hatch in a Spotted Crake nest should correspond to the number of eggs laid. However, there are often 1 or 2 eggs that were unfertilised.

From a clutch of 8 eggs the average hatching rate is around 80 to 90% which means there will be an average of 6 or 7 chicks that make it to the hatching stage.

When Do Spotted Crake Chicks Open Their Eyes?

Spotted Crake chicks are precocial which means they have their eyes open as soon as they hatch or shortly after. The chicks are also covered in black down feathers which helps them to keep warm and camouflaged.

Like all precocial chicks, Spotted Crake chicks leave the nest within 24 to 48 hours of hatching and become somewhat independent. With that said, they still rely on their parents for protection and to show them how to find food.

When Do Spotted Crake Chicks Fledge?

For the first few days, their parents bring them food whilst showing them where to find it for themselves. They then progress to foraging for food further away from their nesting sites all the while being watched over by their parents.

The chicks gradually develop their flight feathers and around 30 to 35 days after hatching they manage to take short exploratory flights. Their parents continue to offer protection and can also offer assistance if needed. But the chicks become less reliant on their parents and then go their own way.

SEE ALSO: Wheatear Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

Frequently Asked Questions