RED-NECKED CRAKE
Photo: C & D Frith
Wet Tropics Rainforest Life
RED-NECKED CRAKE: Rallina tricolor 30 cm In Australia the Red-necked Crake is restricted to rainforests in north Queensland. It occupies the dense, moist understorey of lowland and foothill forests, often where cyclone damage has created tangles of spiny climbing palms. Reports that it is mainly crepuscular and nocturnal have not been substantiated. It breeds during the spring and summer, when its loud territorial calls are uttered more often. Calling frequency is probably greatest during late afternoon and early evening. Parent-chick communication includes warnings. When the alarm is given, the little black chicks of the red-necked crake scatter, crouch and remain immobile. They also send out high-pitched whistles which may help the parents to locate them again once danger has passed. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency) Near Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge it occurs sparsely, at places including Lake Barrine, Malanda Falls and the Cathedral Fig.
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