Combination of intricately barred back and belly, gray throat and breast, and rufous crown and nape separates this furtive bird from similar species. Like many other rails, moves about unobtrusively in dense vegetation in marshes, wet grasslands, flooded pastures, and mangroves. Occasionally forages in the open in close proximity to cover, especially in early morning and evening. Calls include a dry, series of kick notes that increase in tempo; a dry, scratchy, metallic “krrrr”; and single, short clucks.