Little Crake (Male)
Little Crake (Male)
Little Crake (Juvenile)

Observations, notes, photos

A Little Crake that visited us on Qaru island the 27th July 2011.

Scientific Name 
Porzana parva
Arabic Name 
مرعة رمادية البطن
Kuwaiti name 
دجاجة عدي
39.0 cm
20.0 cm
Least Concern
Similar species 


Uncommon passage migrant and locally breeding resident; rare winter visitor. A very small reed swamp bird, often detected due to the male’s loud accelerating croaking song. May use extremely small wetlands to rest on migration.
Where in Kuwait 
Predominantly in areas with brackish pools with reed habitat, generally in the Jahra area but also where suitable habitat may be found on passage and as far west as the desert oasis.
In the world 
It has an extremely large range and most populations of this species are fully migratory and migrate to wintering grounds. These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects and small aquatic animals.
Local threats 
Wetland degradation.