As Bill Graham was pointing out at Forde this morning the M and F Aust Crakes are separable by the size of the swollen orange feature at base of bill. Below, male is in left column female in middle. The character is said to be variable and I doubt the particular difference evident in this pair would necessarily be replicated in another one. The difference in plumage colour in a and b is due to the light. This species can appear blue/black in shade, a dull pale brown in full sun. Third column shows current state of chicks.
