hatching. The precocial chicks leave the nest in 1–3 days, but are fed by parents and helpers for several weeks. They can fly by 5–6 weeks, and are independent at 6–12 weeks. Feeding The black crake is diurnal, and this confiding bird will feed close to humans and often in the open. It eats a wide range of invertebrates, small fish, frogs and seeds. It will take the eggs of birds and scavenge on carcasses. It will forage on the ground or climb reeds to find prey including flying insects. This species will perch on hippopotamuses and warthogs and remove parasites. References External links Black crake Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds black crake Birds of Sub-Saharan Africa Birds of Southern Africa black crake