Taxonomy
Crex crex | Corn Crake | Traonach
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
This species is Red-listed
according to Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2020-2026 and is of high
conservation value as a result.
Species Biology
Identification
Due to the Corncrakes elusive
nature, the characteristic ‘kerrx-kerrx’ sound made by the male can often be
the only attestation to their presence in an area.
Standing at approximately 20 cm
in length and with a wingspan of 50 cm, the male is typically larger than the
female with a weight of 170 grams and 140 grams respectively.
This species has a brownish
colouration with dark brown-reddish flanks and a grey belly (Corncrake Traonach LIFE, 2021).
The legs are a yellow-brown
colour.
Diet
Corncrakes are omnivorous and
will feed on various invertebrates such as insects, some molluscs and annelids
as well as plant material such as the seeds of grasses and sedges.
Habitat
Commonly found hiding in tall
vegetation within hay and silage fields, rough pastures and stands of
herbaceous plants (Corncrake Traonach LIFE, 2021).
Reproduction
The corncrake is a ground nesting
bird (Corncrake Traonach LIFE, 2021).
The female lays a clutch of 8-12
eggs that will hatch after an incubation period of 16-19 days. The eggs
produced by this species typically weigh around 13.2 grams.
The young fledge after 34-38 days.
These short-lived birds will only
live for around two years and can breed at the one year mark.
Conservation actions
The Corncrake is the focal
species of the Corncrake LIFE Project which is working with farmers and
landowners to ameliorate habitat quality for the species within 8 Corncrake
catchments in Ireland. Additionally, these 8 catchments also represent 9
Corncrake Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Historically, this summer visitor
was rather common in Ireland but has since declined due to intensification of
agricultural practices.
It is now restricted to areas of
less agriculturally valuable habitat that is not intensively managed.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
Further information
Corncrake
LIFE: https://www.corncrakelife.ie
BirdWatch Ireland: https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/corncrake/
The Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/corncrake/
British Trust for Ornithology: https://app.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob4210.htm
References
Publications
Corncrake Traonach LIFE, 2021. About the Corncrake: Ecology.
[online] Available at: <https://www.corncrakelife.ie/corncrake-ecology>
[Accessed 2 Jun. 2021].