White-breasted Waterhen
Amaurornis phoenicurus
The White-breasted Waterhen is a highly active and vocal rail. It has clean slate-grey upperparts, a striking white face, neck, and breast, and a warm rufous under-tail.
Species Ecological Profile
Sourced from high-confidence eBird and regional field surveys
Wetlands, marshes, lakeshore reed beds, flooded fields, stream margins, and damp undergrowth near water. Prefers dense cover to retreat into.
Omnivorous. Probes mud for insects, earthworms, small mollusks, tadpoles, small fish, aquatic grass seeds, and tender plant shoots.
Resident. Remains active along Naukuchiatal's wetland edges year-round.
June to September (monsoon season). Builds a shallow platform nest of twigs and reeds placed in thick, tangled low bushes near water.
Observed cautiously skulking along the marshy shores and reed banks of Naukuchiatal lake, particularly in quiet inlets.
Photographic Log
Visual field records captured in Naukuchiatal (Click to enlarge)
