The species is found in freshwater and locally in brackish marshes, successional stages of marsh-shrub swamp, rice fields, flooded farmland, river margins, and upland fields near marshes. Occasionally, it is also found in salt-marsh during migration (del Hoyo et al. 1996).

Rallus elegans (incorporating ramsdeni) is a widespread and partially migratory inhabitant of freshwater and brackish wetlands, including modified areas, in eastern North America in Canada (Ontario) and USA, eastern Mexico and Cuba (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). Recent DNA analysis of a specimen obtained in 1985 has also placed the species in Bocas del Toro, Panama, most likely an individual of subspecies ramsdeni, though there have been no recent records and the status of the population is unclear (Maley et al. 2016; eBird 2021).

Conservation and research actions underway 
Conservation and recovery plans exists for the USA and Canada (Cooper 2008; Environment Canada 2012). Strategies and actions include: surveying and monitoring of King Rail populations and their habitats, development and implementation of protection and management tools, and collaborative research activities with international partners that contribute to an improved understanding of the species.

Conservation and research actions proposed
Assess the presence and the status of the population in Panama. Survey wetlands throughout the range to obtain exact estimates of the population trend. Monitor the population trend. Investigate the species's ecology and breeding behaviour. Clarify the scale and severity of threats. Protect wetland habitats within the range. Consider eliminating invasive plants and restore suitable habitat.