[2] The spotted crake's breeding habitat is marshes and sedge beds across temperate Europe into western Asia.

At 19–22.5 cm (7.5–8.9 in) length, spotted crakes are slightly smaller than water rails, from which they are readily distinguished by the short straight bill, yellow with a red base.

Adults have mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey breast, with dark barring and white spots on the flanks.

The spotted crake is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

The Western European population has declined in recent decades, and the species is now a very rare breeding bird in Great Britain.