Behaviour The species is presumed to be sedentary in the absence of any evidence of movements (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Taylor and van Perlo 1998). It is incredibly difficult to see (Langrand 1990), but has a fairly loud and distinctive call, given most frequently between October and February. It may thus breed during the rainy season, but its breeding behaviour is otherwise unknown (Langrand 1990). Habitat This is an aquatic species which is largely confined to permanent, montane marshland which is shallowly flooded, at least seasonally, and dominated by dense, short grasses, with scattered clumps of thin-stemmed sedges and rushes (Cyperus, Schoenoplectus) (P.B. Taylor in litt. 1999). It prefers wetlands with adjacent dense, grassy terrain or even rice paddies, near rainforest at altitudes of 950-1,800m (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). It is possible that it may also occur in overgrown, weedy, disused agricultural land and the scrubby edges of marshes (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). Diet Its diet is unknown (Langrand 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Taylor and van Perlo 1998). Breeding site Its nest, nest site and eggs are unknown (Langrand 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Taylor and van Perlo 1998).

Sarothrura watersi has been recorded reliably from well-separated areas in eastern Madagascar. If 1970-1971 records from the Antananarivo district are discounted as erroneous, the remaining sites are near Analamazaotra in 1928, near Andapa in 1930, Torotorofotsy Marsh since 1997, several sightings at Anjozorobe (including photograph in 2009 [Safford 2013]), Ranomafana/Vohiparara since 1988, and in Andringitra National Park, as well as between Andringitra and Ranomafana - corresponding to specimens from "south-east Betsileo" in 1875 (Safford 2013). All sites are in, or adjacent to, mid-altitude rainforest. Its marshland habitat is widely but very patchily distributed (Wilmé and Langrand 1990, ZICOMA 1999) and it may yet occur at other sites, having been overlooked due to its extremely secretive behaviour (Morris and Hawkins 1998). Nevertheless, very little suitable habitat is likely to remain (P.B. Taylor in litt. 1999), and its total population may number considerably less than 1,000 individuals (Taylor and van Perlo 1998).

Conservation Actions Underway
Ranomafana has been a national park since 1987, but there is no protection specifically for wetlands in eastern Madagascar (Stattersfield et al. 1998). The Malagasy government has ratified the Ramsar Convention, which came into force for the country in 1999. Ramsar site status has benefited the conservation of at least one site where the species occurs, Torotorofotsy Marsh, and the convention could be of additional importance to the species if it is found in the watershed of Lake Alaotra (O. Langrand in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey the distribution and population at all known and possible sites of occurrence (Langrand and Wilmé 1993). Evaluate sites suitable for protection (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). Assess the feasibility of conducting research into the species's ecology and life history. Enforce the protection of the Ranomafana national park against illegal gold mining.