Slaty-breasted Rails

Here's another shy rail that inhabits wetlands of South East Asia. The Slaty-breasted Rail can be found in Singapore but are usually extremely shy and hard to spot among the tall grasses. Because of the clearing of a large piece of land for industrial use this family of seven was displaced. Giving many an opportunity to see these usually shy birds.

Although the chicks were able to fend for themselves, their parents still cared for them. Both parents would find earthworms and hold them out to the chicks for them to eat.

Two weeks after these photos were taken, the adults have left their five chicks to fend for themselves. The chicks have since disappeared into another area where there are tall grasses.