Uncommon to locally fairly common summer migrant from winter grounds in Africa and Asia. Breeds in fresh wetlands with sedges, wet meadows, but migrants are often in reed beds and brackish marshes. Retiring and rarely seen, but sometimes comes out at muddy edges, mainly early and late in the day. About same size as Water Rail (other crakes appreciably smaller), but with short yellow bill with reddish base, legs greenish. Note dense whitish spotting and speckling on neck and breast.