Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bird species: The corncrake (Crex crex) is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird in the rail family (Rallidae). It is known for its distinctive, repetitive call, which sounds like its name: "crex-crex."
   • Habitat and behavior: It frequents tall grasslands, meadows, and, as its name suggests, fields of grain or other crops. It is a secretive bird, more often heard than seen.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The call of the corncrake is a classic sound of summer meadows in rural Europe.
  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the corncrake, whose populations have declined due to changes in farming practices.
  • We stayed up late hoping to hear a corncrake, but only heard owls.

Advanced Usage

• "to sound like a corncrake": Used informally to describe a harsh, repetitive, or rasping sound.
  • His old car engine started to sound like a corncrake.

Variants and Related Words

• Landrail: (noun) A traditional British name for the corncrake.
• Crex: (noun) The genus name for the corncrake ().

Synonyms

• Rail: A broader term for birds in the family Rallidae, which includes the corncrake, coots, and moorhens.
• Crake: A general term for several small to medium-sized rails with short bills, such as the corncrake or spotted crake.

Related Phrases

• Corncrake call: Specifically refers to the bird's loud, distinctive vocalization.
  • The survey relied on identifying the corncrake call at dusk.

Related Idioms

• As elusive as a corncrake: Describes something or someone that is very difficult to find or pin down.
  • Getting a straight answer from him is as elusive as a corncrake.

Noun

1. common Eurasian rail that frequents grain fields