184. Sora (Porzana carolina)

Soras are a North American species which occurs very rarely as a vagrant in Europe. They look very similar to Spotted Crakes but have a bright yellow bill, well-delineated black markings around the face and throat, a lack of spots on the head, throat and breast, and a single dark central crown stripe where the Spotted Crake has multiple streaks. Juveniles are plain pale brown where the adult is grey, and lack the black face markings. They like similar habitat to Spotted Crakes and can tend to forage out in the open more.

Sora, ©Mike Baird, via Flickr Creative Commons.

Sora painting.

Fairly pleased with my attempt at the patterning :o)