By David Allen
Geographic Range
Laterallus ruber is found in the northern parts of South America and into the southern areas of North America. The highest densities found of the ruddy crake are in Columbia and Central America. This species favors the wetlands and wet forests throughout these areas.
(Peterson 1980)
Biogeographic Regions:
nearctic 
(native ); neotropical (native ).
Habitat
Wet forests and swamps support Laterallus ruber.
Physical Description
Laterallus ruber superficially resembles other rails. This species has the characteristic short conical bill. The legs are long with wide spreading feet to move around in wet areas. The body shape resembles a water drop when the neck is extended. The feathers on the head are dull black. The rufous wings and the back have a reddish brown coloring mingled with brown and black. The male has a rusty red colored breast similar to the color of a ruddy duck. The female is only slightly more drab than the male. The tail is very short and stubby. A rusty colored stripe envelopes the dark eyes of the crake.
(Miller and Miller 1987)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Information on reproduction is unavailable on Laterallus ruber. This information is general to crakes.
Crakes generally lay 6-12 eggs in a nest made among tall aquatic plants at the waters edge. Both male and female brood them in turn for up to 3 weeks. As incubation starts before all the eggs are laid, the chicks emerge at intervals over a period of several days. They can leave the nest shortly after hatching. After the eggs have hatched, the male cares for them while his mate incubates the younger eggs. After all the eggs have hatched, both parents guard the chicks, feeding them until they are a week old. Sometimes the chicks split into two parties, each under the charge of one parent.
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous .
Food Habits
Laterallus ruber feed on the invertebrates and plants they can find living at the surface or just beneath the surface of the water. This species will also feed from the mud and decaying plants in wetlands and in pools formed in large tree crevices. They mainly prey on water snails and insects such as water beetles, mayflies and mosquitoes, as well as their larvae. Water plants and grass may also be eaten but this is unconfirmed.
(Miller and Miller 1987)
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
The ruddy crake has no major economic value. Money from bird watchers and ecotourists can be accounted for but this species is not of major interest since other tropical birds are of greater interest.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
The largest concern for this species is the one common to most tropical birds. Deforestation and habitat destruction have lowered the populations of the ruddy crake. These birds have benefited from the parks and land preserved by governments and concerned groups.
Contributors
David Allen (author), University of Michigan.
Terry Root (editor), University of Michigan.
