The Water Rail is a small, secretive bird found in wetlands across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has a long, slender body, a short tail, and a distinctive long bill. The plumage is mostly brown with streaks, providing excellent camouflage among reeds and marshes. Water Rails are known for their distinctive calls, which can often be heard during the breeding season. These birds prefer dense vegetation near water bodies, such as swamps, marshes, and ponds. They are primarily nocturnal and are more active at dawn and dusk. Water Rails feed on a diet of invertebrates, seeds, and small fish, foraging in the mud and shallow water.