It is endemic to forests, often in wet areas, in northern and eastern Madagascar.

The Madagascar forest rail is a secretive and shy species, often showing elusive behavior, such as running away from the slightest disturbances.

This has contributed to a lack of study on this species; a reason why it is not that well known.

A molecular genetic study published in 2019 found that the grey-throated rail is not closely related to the forest rails.

The forest rails were therefore moved to the resurrected genus Mentocrex.