The ocellated crake (Rufirallus schomburgkii) is a small terrestrial species of bird in the family Rallidae that is native to the grassland and savanna habitats of Central America and South America. Though it is not often seen, it is easily recognizable by its cinnamon plumage with black and white mottling. This species was formerly placed in its own genus Micropygia .

The ocellated crake was formally described in 1848 by the German botanist Richard Schomburgk under the binomial name Crex schomburgkii. Schomburgk credited the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis for the binomial name but as the description is not in quotes, it is assumed that it was written by Schomburgk. The ocellated crake was formerly placed in its own genus Micropygia as its phylogenetic relationship to the other crakes was uncertain. A molecular study published in 2023 found that the species was closely related to the russet-crowned crake (Rufirallus viridis). Based on this result, the ocellated crake is now placed in the genus Rufirallus.

Two subspecies are recognised:

The ocellated crake is generally around 165mm long, and is sexually dimorphic in size, with males weighing roughly 40 grams and females 24 grams. Its plumage consists of an overall cinnamon color on the face, breast and belly. Its wings, nape and tail are a darker brown, while the crown has more of an orange hue. Some observers have suggested that the crown color is another sexually dimorphic trait. There is also a varying degree of cream or white on the throat and underparts. The nape, back, wing coverts and rump are mottled by distinctive white spots, each surrounded by a black ring. It has a red iris and its bill is yellowish-green, with some black on the upper mandible.

The subspecies R. s. chapmani differs slightly in size and coloration. It is larger, has paler underparts, and more orange-brown coloration rather than cinnamon. It has less of the distinctive black and white spotting, with the spotting not covering the rump or upper tail coverts. The black border around the white spots is also thinner compared to the nominate subspecies.

The ocellated crake has a very scattered distribution, and is found primarily in South America, but the northern edge of its range extends into Central America. It is found in Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana. A population was also recently found to inhabit Argentina. The known range of the ocellated crake has been expanding in recent years, in part because in the past its vocalizations have been difficult to distinguish from other closely-related species of rails including those of the Laterallus and Anurolimnas genera.

Rails are notoriously difficult to observe due to their small size and difficult to access habitat, so they are easier to identify through their trills, which are their most distinctive type of vocalization. Increasing recognition of the trill, along with more access to recordings and the ability to use the playback technique have made the species easier to detect, leading to a more comprehensive distribution.

The ocellated crake is found in open grassland and savanna habitats, generally densely-packed and tall grasses of one meter or more. It can be found in either dryer, well-drained habitats or wetter, flooded ones, and is observed more frequently in dry habitats. These grasslands are generally successional habitats that form as a result of major disturbances to an area, either as a result of anthropogenic activity or naturally-occurring disturbances, primarily wildfires.