The Slaty-legged crake, a secretive and shy bird, was recently spotted by a group of wildlife enthusiasts during a nature walk in Mumbai’s Aarey forest. Known for its crepuscular behaviour (animals active during twilight hours, specifically at dawn and dusk) and elusive nature, this bird is usually heard rather than seen, typically dwelling near water bodies and dense undergrowth at forest edges.

Over the past ten years, only eight confirmed sightings have been recorded in Mumbai, making this encounter particularly significant. On July 31, evening, around 7.30 pm, naturalist and wildlife photographer Mahesh Yadav, actor and wildlife enthusiast Suyash Tilak (also the founder of Biodiverse Trails), and wildlife enthusiasts Kaushal Dubey and Imran Udat were exploring a forested patch in Aarey when they heard the distinct call of a bird. Using a bird identification app, they recorded the sound and were thrilled to confirm that it was the Slaty-legged crake. Shortly after, the bird was spotted resting on a small tree branch.

Speaking about the sighting, Yadav said, “Spotting a Slaty-legged crake in Aarey is not only special for birdwatchers, but personally meaningful to me. Back in 2018, one was rescued here. Then in 2021, I witnessed a pair with two chicks at BNHS CEC, marking the first breeding record for the region — a discovery later published in a research paper. To see it again in 2025 after such a long gap is exhilarating.