I come into this world a fluffy black ball. I develop a more greyish body, with a hint of white along my front. In a couple of weeks or so, my beak / bill and legs develop a greenish hue, my tail is tinted a pale rusty red, and my face, chest and belly start whitening.
The next stage of transformation takes me to adulthood, which I’ve waited for my whole life! Now you’ll see the glory of my bright colours. A whiter front, rustier under tail, deep red eyes, yellowish bill and legs, and long toes which allows me to walk on floating vegetation. Not everyone can be as cool as me. Whether I’m a male or female, I still look the same.
I’m proud of who I’ve turned out to be. You’ll see me confidently strutting around with my tail held up. I’m usually found in thick cover; close to fresh water, around a pond, lake, open marsh, or even close to human habitation, like a golf course. Who says golf courses are only for humans?! On open ground, I forage for prey, to keep my tummy full and happy. My favourite foods include insects, worms, snails, small fish, grains, seeds and tender marsh plants.
Still trying to figure out who I am? I’ll give you a hint; I get part of my name because I forage by pecking on the ground with chicken-like movements. And at the end of the day, I relax by roosting in a low tree or bush. Bird experts describe me as “crepuscular”, which is a term for ‘mostly active at dusk and dawn’. So, I’m both a morning and night bird. And when I’m awake, I like to wake up everyone in the neighborhood with loud croaking sounds. My calls are unique, a metallic "krr-kwaak-kwaak" and "kook...kook...kook". I let out a high-pitched "hik", when I’m alarmed. Other instances I show off my vocal talents are at the onset of monsoon and during breeding season.
At breeding age, I sport a reddish base on my upper bill and attract a mate. Between June to October we find a perfect location in a bush, near or overlooking water, and build a shallow cup-shaped nest. Within which, six to seven eggs are laid. After 19 days of incubation, we take turns to feed and rear our chicks.
By this time, I’m sure most of you have guessed my identity. In Konkani I’m called “Kuakombi”. My English (scientific) name is White-Breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) and I measure 32 cm. Being a common member of the rail family (like the Grey-headed Swamphen), I’m a widespread resident in South and South-East Asia. In India I’m found all over, except for the extreme hot desert and heights above 1500m in the Himalayas. I’m happy to report my conservation status is ‘Least Concerned’.
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Pic: Conrad Pinto
