Head to head
Corncrake vs Water Rail
The corncrake and water rail are both secretive Old World members of the rail family, but they have settled on two very different types of habitat.
| Corncrake | Water Rail | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Crex crex | Rallus aquaticus |
| Preferred habitat | Tall grassland and hay meadows | Dense reed beds and marshes |
| Signature call | Rasping "crex-crex" | Pig-like squeal |
| Historical conservation issue | Mechanised hay-mowing destroyed nests | None especially notable |
| Migration | Long-distance migrant to sub-Saharan Africa | Partially resident, tolerates cold winters |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Habitat | Grassland, wetlands | Wetlands |
Corncrake vs Water Rail: common questions
Why does the corncrake live in grassland instead of wetlands like the water rail?
The corncrake is unusual among rails for living primarily in tall grassland and hay meadows, a habitat choice that set it apart from the water rail and most other rail species, which instead favour the dense reed beds and marshes typical of wetland habitat.
How do the calls of the corncrake and water rail differ?
The corncrake produces a rasping "crex-crex" call that directly inspired its scientific name, while the water rail instead produces a startlingly pig-like squealing call, two very different but equally distinctive and unmistakable sounds within the wider rail family.
Which of these two species has a more troubled conservation history?
The corncrake has the more troubled history, having suffered severe historical decline across Western Europe as mechanised hay-mowing destroyed nests and chicks faster than the birds could escape, while the water rail has maintained a comparatively stable population throughout its range.