White-breasted Waterhen

Description:

Amaurornis phoenicurus Pennant, 1769. "The white-breasted waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) is a waterbird of the rail and crake family, Rallidae, that is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia. Adult white-breasted waterhens have mainly dark grey upperparts and flanks, and a white face, neck and breast. The lower belly and undertail are cinnamon or white coloured. The body is flattened laterally to allow easier passage through the reeds or undergrowth. They have long toes, a short tail and a yellow bill and legs. Sexes are similar but females measure slightly smaller. Immature birds are much duller versions of the adults. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails." Wikipedia.

Habitat:

I was hunting for bugs in the foliage surrounding the rice field behind our house when I spotted this White-Breasted Waterhen. It was sitting sitting in the middle of the rice field (which was pretty barren looking as it had just been harvested a few days previously). This struck me as unusual as these birds usually dash for cover if disturbed, and I must have walked past it a moment before. So I approached and it still did not start away. When I got close, I was able to gently pick it up and examine it as best I could, thinking it might be injured. However I could see nothing obviously wrong, other than it appeared very weak. I really had no idea how I could help it other than to place it down on the ground, in the open, but very close to the edge of the trees and undergrowth. I then moved away and observed from a distance. It managed to stand and moved into the cover of the foliage and grasses. I never saw it again.

Notes:

"Many rails are very secretive, but white-breasted waterhens are often seen out in the open. They can be noisy especially at dawn and dusk, with loud croaky calls." Wikipedia.