There has been a recovery in north-western Europe in recent years, with the recolonisation of Germany and the Netherlands, and breeding suspected in Britain; an Irish record in 2012 was the first there since the 1850s.

Baillon's crake has a short straight bill, yellow or green without a red base.

These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight.

[4] Baillon's crake is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

Baillon's crakes are not listed as threatened on the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.