China (mainland) (B), Japan (NB), North Korea (NB), Russia (Asian) (B), South Korea (NB).
South-eastern Transbaikalia and southern Ussuriland and eastern Heilongjiang (Manchuria). Winters from Japan and Korea through Ryukyu Is to southern China.
 
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Swinhoe's Rail (Coturnicops exquisitus) [XC320968]
by Alex Thomas from Wu'erqihan, Yakeshi, Hulunbeier Shi, Neimenggu Zizhiqu, Russian Federation (call)
Swinhoe's Rail (Coturnicops exquisitus) [XC381991]
by id from Wu'erqihan, Yakeshi, Hulunbeier Shi, Neimenggu Zizhiqu, China (song)
Subspecies
Sometimes considered conspecific with Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis), with which forms Holarctic superspecies.