Corn crake

The corncrake is a shy, streaky-brown bird that hides in tall grass across Europe and Asia before flying to Africa for winter. Males announce themselves with a loud, repetitive 'krek krek' call. Unlike many rails, it prefers dry meadows over marshes.

• Its scientific name Crex crex mimics its raspy call.
• Chicks hatch covered in black down like all rail babies.
• Eastern corncrakes tend to be slightly paler than western ones.