Since Leguat was unable to locate its nests, the Rodrigues rail may have nested outside the easily accessible open forest as was typical in coastal and lowland areas, and rather nested deep in forested valleys or mountainous hills of the interior, according to Hume. Its nests may have been well concealed in vegetation on the ground, as is the case of other flightless rails. Like the red rail, it was said to be attracted to the colour red, but the significance of this is unknown. This behaviour led Hume to call it an "aggressive species". According to Milne-Edwards, the bird had legs "made for running".