Conservation and Management

The Chestnut-headed Crake has a wide distribution, and the population trend, although not quantified, is believed to be stable. Consequently, the IUCN Red List status of the Chestnut-headed Crake is assessed as Least Concern (BirdLife International 2011).

The Chestnut-headed Crake is difficult to observe, although it can be detected by voice; nonetheles its population status is not well known. In Colombia its relative abundance is assessed as "uncommon, perhaps also local" (3 Hilty, S. L., and W. L. Brown (1986). A Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. Close ); in Ecuador it is described as "uncommon to fairly common (but easily overlooked ...)" (4 Ridgely, R.S., & P.J. Greenfield (2001b). The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide. Comstock Pub. Close ); and in Peru it is "uncommon" (8 Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, D. F. Lane, J. P. O'Neill, and T. A. Parker (2007). Birds of Peru. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. Close ).

The Chestnut-headed Crake occurs in disturbed habitats with a dense understory, and so benefits from low levels of human disturbance, taking advantage of edge habitats around small garden plots.