The Sakalava Rail inhabits lowland wetlands in western Madagascar. Its chestnut-washed back contrasts with dark grey underparts, and it searches for small animals among aquatic plants.
The head, breast, and belly are dark grey; the back and wings are dark brown with a chestnut wash. The bill is greenish yellow, the eyes red, and the legs pinkish red.
It feeds on invertebrates found on the water surface or among aquatic plants. It nests in floating vegetation, with both adults collecting material and incubating the eggs.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.