Fairly small, plump bird with large but disjunct range across much of South America. Dull brown above and rufous below with gray face, rufous crown, red eye, and red legs. Sexes similar. Tends to be quite shy, creeping on the ground in thickets, scrub, wet pastures, and savanna. Found in drier habitats than other rail species. Listen for the trilled song with a clicking or tinkling quality, often stuttering a bit.