Galápagos Rail

The Galapagos crake is about 15 cm (5.9 in) long and weighs about 35 to 45 g (1.2 to 1.6 oz). The sexes are alike. Adults have a dark gray crown and medium gray head and underparts. Their flanks and thighs have sparse narrow whitish bars. Their interscapulars, scapulars, and upper back are chestnut brown and the lower back, rump, uppertail coverts, and tail are dark brown. Their upper wing coverts also are brown, and may have fine white spots, and their flight feathers are light brown. Their iris is a distinctive red, and the bill, tarsi, and toes are dark brown. Juveniles have a mostly dark brown body with a lighter brown upper back; black lower back, rump, and tail; and slightly grayish face and throat. Their wings are an almost-black brown.

The Galapagos crake is found on the Galápagos islands of Pinta, Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago, Santa Cruz, Floreana, and San Cristóbal, though the population on San Cristóbal might be extinct. It was believed to be extinct on Floreana until it was rediscovered in 2025, after last being recorded by Charles Darwin in 1835. It is not known whether this indicates a population that survived undetected or more recent recolonisation. It inhabits humid highlands on those islands in areas with dense fern, shrub, and forb cover.

The Galapagos crake forages during the day, moving along the ground in dense growth tossing leaves and investigating the leaf litter. Its primary prey is insects of many types and its diet includes other arthropods, snails, and berries and seeds.