Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
The Paint-billed Crake is a small, shy rail with olive-brown upperparts, gray face and underparts, and a distinctive red bill tipped with yellow. Its legs are greenish, and it has red eyes. This species is rarely seen, as it prefers to stay hidden in dense marsh vegetation. Despite its secretive behavior, it is widespread across much of South America, including parts of Patagonia. The Paint-billed Crake is more often heard than seen, producing a series of sharp, metallic calls, especially at dawn and dusk. Its cryptic plumage and preference for thick cover make it a challenging bird to observe in the wild.
Habitat
Found in marshes, wet grasslands, reedbeds, and flooded fields with dense vegetation throughout Patagonia.
Foraging
Feeds on insects, seeds, and small aquatic creatures, foraging quietly among dense grasses and reeds.