The Ash-throated Crake is distributed in South America to the south and north of the Amazon Basin. It is found in marshes swamps and grassland but is possibly less of a marsh bird than other rails.

It has a dull greenish bill  and red eyes. Upperparts are brown with black streaks. The head and underparts are greyish with the throat being particularly pale. The undertail coverts are barred black.

The following recording by Jeremy Minns is a duet with the male joined by the higher pitched and quicker notes of the female.