White-spotted Flufftail

Overview

The white-spotted flufftail (Sarothrura pulchra), also known as the white-spotted crake, is a small bird species found across the African tropical rainforest. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, this species exhibits some local movement despite being normally sedentary.

Identification

• Length of 16–17 cm with an average weight of 45 grams, featuring a short tail that is not fluffy despite the species' name.
• Males display red plumage on the head, neck, breast, and tail coverts, while the rest of the body is black with white spots.
• Females have similar red coloration on the head, neck, and breast, but their bodies are black to dark brownish without the distinct white spotting of the male.

Habitat

This species is distributed throughout the African tropical rainforest. It is primarily sedentary, though there is some evidence of local movement in Sierra Leone and Ghana.

Diet

The white-spotted flufftail feeds on various invertebrates. It is an exclusively diurnal species that is active throughout the day but reduces its activity levels during the midday hours.

Did you know?

Despite its common name, the tail of the white-spotted flufftail is short and is explicitly described as not being fluffy. The chicks of this species tend to follow the parent of the same sex while being fed.