The islands of Malta are currently experiencing the spring migratory season where all kinds of birds are flying over and passing Malta.

One such bird is the European Crake!

BirdLife Malta took to their social media to share more information about this beautiful bird.

You can usually spot them near a marshland or watercourses, but they can easily escape our sights as they have a very “secretive nature and cryptic plumage”.

They’re small and have brown, black and white feathers which means they blend perfectly well with their surroundings.

As they’re typically found near water and dense vegetation, they have over-sized feet when compared to the rest of their body. This helps them navigate their surroundings as they look out for insects, small crustaceans and seeds.

This spring alone three different types of European Crakes have been spotted in Malta. These are the Spotted Crake, the Little Crake as well as the Baillon’s Crake which tends to be rarer than the other two.

Conservation however is very much needed to keep this bird a frequent visitor to our islands.

“Conservation efforts focused on preserving and restoring wetland habitats are essential for ensuring the survival of these charming and elusive birds for future generations to appreciate and enjoy”, BirdLife Malta expressed.

Have you ever spotted one?