How can corncrakes nesting in Scotland reach their wintering grounds in South Africa?

The corncrake (Crex crex), a member of the Rallidae family within the order Gruiformes, is a migratory bird that demonstrates remarkable endurance despite its appearance as a weak flier.

Although these birds often appear to fly weakly across marshes with floppy wings and dangling legs, they are capable of traveling thousands of miles during their annual migration. Corncrakes nesting in Scotland reach their wintering grounds in South Africa by undertaking this long-distance flight, a feat that highlights the surprising migratory capacity of certain rails that are otherwise known for their preference for traveling on foot.12