White-Browed Crake

The white-browed crake is a compact 19–21.5 cm rail with a black eye area bordered above and below by broad white streaks. Adults have a grey crown and nape, white underparts, grey upper flanks, browner lower flanks, brown back and wings, an orange bill and yellow legs. Juveniles are browner overall, with less distinct facial markings, a dull yellow bill and dull green legs (Bird Society of Singapore species account).

Its broad range extends from Southeast Asia to New Guinea, northern Australia and many Pacific islands. Birds use well-vegetated freshwater wetlands and mangroves, foraging on floating plants, mud and water margins, especially early and late in the day. Food includes worms, slugs, leeches, insects, water spiders, frog spawn, small fish, aquatic seeds and leaves. Both adults incubate a typical four-egg clutch for about 18 days in a lined plant platform, sometimes covered by woven vegetation (BirdForum account citing Birds of the World).