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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Rallidae
  4. ›
  5. Zapornia
  6. ›
  7. Spotless Crake
Spotless Crake
Photo · (c) Kym Nicolson, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Spotless Crake

Zapornia tabuensis(Gmelin, JF, 1789)

Updated 11 June 2026

Also known asPūwetoPutoto

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
GRUIFORMES
Family
Rallidae
Genus
Zapornia

At a glance

The Spotless Crake is a small bird, about 17–20 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
17–20 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Spotless Crake look like?

The Spotless Crake is a small bird, about 17–20 cm long and weighing 21–61 g.

The spotless crake is a species of bird in the rail family, Rallidae. It is widely distributed species occurring from the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand across the southern Pacific Ocean to the Marquesas Islands to the south east along the Tuamotus island chain to Pitcairn Oeno island.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
17–20 cm
Weight
21–60.5 g
Wingspan
26 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • Typically adopts a hunched, low-slung posture and frequently flicks its short tail upward, occasionally venturing onto muddy edges before darting back into cover.

plumage

  • The adult features striking ruby-red eyes and reddish-pink legs that contrast with its dark slate-grey underparts and chocolate-brown back.
  • Juveniles are significantly duller and browner than adults, featuring a distinct white patch on the chin and throat alongside brownish-orange eyes.

size_and_shape

  • A very small, short-tailed rail with a compact, rounded profile and a relatively short, straight black bill.

voice

  • Listen for a rapid, mechanical-sounding 'purring' trill or bubbling notes, as well as sharp, repetitive 'pit-pit' calls emanating from deep cover.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Spotless Crake?

The Spotless Crake is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

jimchurches · Cunningar NSW 2587, Australia

Call

jimchurches · Wallaroo NSW 2618, Australia

Call

jimchurches · Gungahlin, ACT, Australia

Call

Will Cornwell · Bungwahl NSW 2423, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Spotless Crake eat?

The Spotless Crake feeds on seeds, foliage/herbs, terrestrial invertebrates, intertidal invertebrates and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Spotless Crake live in Australia?

The Spotless Crake is native to Australia, recorded across 63 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingOR, AU : Luzon and Mindoro (north Philippines), Timor (east Lesser Sundas), Australasian region and Oceania

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding

8 regions recorded