The Ruddy Crake (Laterallus ruber) is a bird in the rail family, Rallidae. It is a small crake, 14-16.5 cm in length. It is mostly bright chestnut in colour with a paler chin and belly, blackish crown and dark grey ear-coverts. The bill is black, the iris is red and the legs and feet are olive-green.
The bird occurs from Mexico south to north-west Costa Rica. It is found in freshwater habitats such as marshes, reedbeds, damp fields and ditches.
Famous quotes containing the word ruddy:
“Without, the frost, the blinding snow,
The storm-wind’s moody madness—
Within, the firelight’s ruddy glow,
And childhood’s nest of gladness.
The magic words shall hold thee fast:
Thou shalt not heed the raving blast.”
—Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898)