Very small and elusive crake of damp grassy fields, brushy pastures, and marshes. Walks quietly and runs quickly, like all rails. Note the lime-green bill base and red eyes set off by a grayish face. Told from similar Black Rail by yellowish legs and unspotted upperparts. Heard much more often than seen; distinctive piping song easily passed over as a frog. Trilling call is drier than similar call of Ruddy Crake.