White-Breasted Waterhen

Description:

a waterbird of the rail and crake family Rallidae that is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia. They are dark slaty birds with a clean white face, breast and belly. They are somewhat bolder than most other rails and are often seen stepping slowly with their tail cocked upright in open marshes or even drains near busy roads. They are largely crepuscular in activity and during the breeding season, just after the first rains, make loud and repetitive croaking calls.

Habitat:

Their breeding habitat is marshes across south Asia from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to south China and Indonesia. They are mainly seen in the plains but have been known from the higher hills such as in Nainital (1300m) and the High Range (1500m) in Kerala.[4][5] These large 32 cm long rails are permanent residents throughout their range. They make short distance movements and are known to colonize new areas.