Buff-spotted Flufftail
Sarothrura elegans
Silhouette: Andrew Smith (original) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderGruiformes (Cranes, Rails, and Allies)
- FamilyRallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
- GenusSarothrura (Flufftails)
- SpeciesSarothrura elegans (Buff-spotted Flufftail)
About the Buff-spotted Flufftail
The buff-spotted flufftail (Sarothrura elegans), also known as the buff-spotted crake, is a species of bird in the family Sarothruridae. The male has an orange head, neck, and breast, with a sooty-black body covered in buff or white spots. The female is mostly brownish, barred and spotted with black and buff. In general size, this bird measures 15–17 cm (5.9–6.7 in) in length and has a wingspan of 25–28 cm (9.8–11.0 in). It weighs about 46 g (1.6 oz) on average.
Subspecies S. e. reichenovi is smaller than the nominate, and the males are darker above and have larger spots. S. e. elegans is the nominate subspecies. The buff-spotted flufftail inhabits many types of forested areas in Africa.
Its diet is semi-omnivorous, consisting of various invertebrates as well as grass and tree seeds, which are thought to aid it in grinding other foods. It mainly forages through leaf litter. They will drink water daily, sometimes several times a day. It rarely flies.
The buff-spotted flufftail is monogamous and territorial, and maintains pair bonds through the breeding season, which varies significantly by location. Its nest is on the ground and is well covered by plants... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Buff-spotted Flufftail in Garden Route National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Garden Route National Park
Red-chested Flufftail
Sarothrura rufa
Striped Flufftail
Sarothrura affinis
Red-knobbed Coot
Fulica cristata
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
Black Crake
Amaurornis flavirostra
Western Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio
Allen's Gallinule
Porphyrio alleni
African Crake
Crex egregia
African Rail
Rallus caerulescens
Baillon's Crake
Porzana pusilla
Blue Crane
Anthropoides paradiseus
African Finfoot
Podica senegalensis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Semuliki National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 3 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 5 | Kibale National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 6 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 7 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 8 | Kidepo Valley National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 9 | Lake Mburo National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 10 | Arusha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 11 | Nyungwe National Park | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | |
| 12 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 13 | Virunga National Park | 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Buff-spotted Flufftail in Garden Route National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Buff-spotted Flufftail sighting in Garden Route National Park, based on 40 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Buff-spotted Flufftail in Garden Route National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for Buff-spotted Flufftail in Garden Route National Park in our monthly data.