The Zapata Rail is a rare Cuban rail known from a small area around the Zapata marshes in southern Cuba; it has limited powers of flight.
A study quoting the 1927 description notes a swollen bill base, short rounded wings, and a very short tail.
Its ecology and natural history are still poorly known. Although its powers of flight are reduced, the research article confirms that it can fly.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.