Water rail

The bird inhabits freshwater wetlands, marshes, and reed beds across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It prefers areas with dense vegetation, often remaining hidden from view.

In Ukraine, it breeds throughout the country, except in the mountains. During migrations, it can be found everywhere and regularly winters in some southern areas, while occasionally being observed on water bodies elsewhere in the country.

It primarily feeds on small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, such as insects, larvae, worms, mollusks, and spiders. Much less it feeds on plant food, which it consumes more in autumn and winter.