Galápagos crake, Galápagos rail
The Galápagos crake (Laterallus spilonota ), also called the Galápagos rail, is a small rail endemic to the Galápagos Islands. It resembles its sister species, the black rail of the Americas, from which it diverged 1.2 million years ago. It is threatened by introduced species, such as goats and cats, and is considered vulnerable.
The Galápagos crake is a small (15 cm) nearly flightless ground living bird. It has dark plumage, black overall with a greyer head and breast, and white spots on the back. It has a scarlet eye, a black bill, and short, nearly useless wings. They are very vocal with a wide range of calls.
The Galápagos crake lives in moist grasslands and forest, skulking in deep cover. In the Galapagos these habitats are generally found on islands with higher elevations (particularly on the islands of Santiago, Santa Cruz and Sierra Negra), and the crakes are most common higher up. They feed on invertebrates, mostly snails, isopods, dragonflies, bugs, ants, also taking berries and some seeds. They feed during the day, moving along the ground tossing leaves and investigating the leaf litter.
Unlike many island-dwelling rails, the Galápagos crake can fly, though not very well and not for long distances. Its flight has been described as awkward and laboured.