Red-legged crake, Rallina fasciata (protonym, Rallus fasciatus), also known by a flock of other common names, such as the Malay (banded) crake or the Malay (banded) rail, or the red-legged chestnut-rail, photographed in Thailand.
Image: Marie-Louise Ng, 10 June 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].
Nikon D3S
Question: This striking Thailand mystery bird is a member of a family of birds that has several interesting evolutionary and life history traits. Can you tell me which traits are most fascinating to you? Can you identify this bird's taxonomic family? Can you identify this species?
Response: This is a red-legged crake, Rallina fasciata, a member of raillidae (rails, crakes and gallinules). This taxonomic family is found on every continent except Antarctica and in every terrestrial habitat except dry deserts, polar and alpine regions although these birds do favour marshlands or dense forest -- "dense vegetation" being the key feature. Of course, as every evolutionary biologist worth her inclusive fitness knows, there are many island species [an indecent number of which were eaten into extinction by humans and their pests -- rats, cats, dogs, pigs, mongooses and other introduced pests]).
The thing I find most fascinating about rallidae is their propensity to colonise tropical islands and then to evolve flightlessness, essentially marooning their progeny in situ.
You are invited to review all of the daily mystery birds by going to their dedicated graphic index page.
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