Buckwheat flourWater chicken, scientific name: Amaurornis phoenicurus, belongs to the family of rail birds under the order of Gruiformes.The base of the bill is slightly prominent but does not form a frontal shield; the bill is shorter than the tarsus;The tarsus is shorter than the middle toe (including claw);Wings are short and round, not good for long-distance flight.Good at walking. It can move in reed beds or water plants, occasionally swims a short distance as well.During the breeding season, male birds call vigorously at dawn and dusk, sounding like "kue, kue, kue", hence its names such as "Guegu bird" or "Ku-wo bird".Nests are built in thorny or dense grasslands, occasionally on trees with thin twigs, water plants, and bamboo leaves.Distributed across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Pacific islands, Wallacea area, and China.

Habitat includes wetlands with reeds or weeds, shrubs, bamboo groves, marshes, rice fields,Sugarcanefields, rivers, lakes, irrigation channels, ponds, near human settlements such as the edges of forests, ponds, or parks.Can also be found in waterside grasslands around villages by lakesides, and in water plants adjacent to paddy fields, wheat fields, Lespedeza, and wild rose bushes.Generally pairs off for activity.Very alert and secretive; mainly active during the day in dense vegetation or near water bodies.Skilled at walking, running, and wading. Walks with its head and neck extending and retracting, tail moving up and down.Rarely seen flying in normal circumstances. When startled, often runs into thickets of grass or performs short-distance flight.When flying, the head and neck are stretched straight, legs hanging down, takes off clumsily with rapid wing beats.During breeding season, frequently calls at night, voice is monotonous but clear and loud: "Ku-wo, Ku-wo".Omnivorous; animal food includes insects (beetles, grasshoppers), their larvae, water beetles, adult weevils, caterpillars, ants,Mollusks, rats, worms, soft-bodied animals, spiders, small fish.Also consumes plant seeds and tender stems and roots of aquatic plants.Plant food includes vetch seeds, wildRushseeds, barnyard grass, sesame, grains, barley,wheat, plant seeds, and reed stalks.Also ingests sand for digestion.