[2][3][1] It resembles its sister species, the black rail of the Americas, from which it diverged 1.2 million years ago.

[4] The Galapagos crake was originally described as Zapornia spilonota and has been moved among at least five other scientific names before its current binomial was adopted.

[5][1] It inhabits humid highlands on those islands in areas with dense fern, shrub, and forb cover.

[5][6] The Galapagos crake forages during the day, moving along the ground in dense growth tossing leaves and investigating the leaf litter.

[5][6] The Galapagos crake's breeding season has not been fully defined but appears to span from September to April.

The species makes its nest on the ground; it is a partially covered cup made of herbaceous plant matter with a side entrance.

Feral rats, cats, and dogs, and native short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) are potential threats as well.