Auckland Rail

Auckland Rail

Taxobox
name = Auckland Rail
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Gruiformes
familia = Rallidae
genus = "Lewinia"
species = "L. muelleri"
binomial = "Lewinia muelleri"
binomial_authority = (Rothschild, 1893)
The Auckland Rail ("Lewinia muelleri") is a small nearly flightless rail endemic to the Auckland Islands 460 km south of New Zealand. It is somewhat of a biogeographical anomaly, being the only species in the genus "Lewinia" to have reached the islands of New Zealand, skipping over the main islands to reach the remote Auckland group. Its closest relative being the Lewin's Rail of Australia. The species is currently restricted to two islands in the Auckland group, Adams Island and Disappointment Island.

The Auckland Rail is a small rail with chestnut back plumage and a grey breast. The flanks are barred black and white and the head is red-brown, with a red bill. It is smaller than the Australian Lewins' Rail. There are conflicting reports about its ability to fly, early accounts suggested it could, but recent researchers have found little evidence for this. If the species is able to fly it does so very infrequently. Auckland Rails have a variety of calls, the most common being a "crex" call made at one second intervals 10 or more times in a row. The function of the calls is unknown.

Little is known about the breeding biology of the Auckland Rail. The few nests that have been found contained clutches of two eggs, probably laid in early November. The eggs are cream coloured with red, brown and grey spots.

The Auckland Rail is highly secretive and was considered to be extinct for many years before its rediscovery. The population is currently stable on the two islands it survives on. It is thought to have become extinct on the main Auckland Islands due to the presence of introduced feral cats and pigs; it is hoped the eventual removal of these from the islands will allow for reintroductions to other islands in the group. The species is currently considered vulnerable by the IUCN and BirdLife International due to the possibility of rats or other predators reaching the two islands it survives on.

References

*BirdLife International (2007) [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebas/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2875&m=0 Species factsheet: "Lewinia muelleri".] Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 14/7/2007
*Elliott, G. P., Walker, K. J. & Buckingham, R. (1991) "The Auckland Islands Rail" "Notornis" 38(3): 199–209

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2875&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Auckland rail — oklandinė vištelė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Lewinia muelleri angl. Auckland rail vok. Aucklandralle, f pranc. râle d Auckland, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – pietinės vištelės …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • Auckland — Auckland …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Auckland Islands — Motu Maha or Maungahuka (Māori) Topographical map of the Auckland Islands …   Wikipedia

  • Auckland city centre rail tunnel — An indicative overview of the planned (as of 2011) route of the CBD rail tunnel, with the three new stations linked to Britomart. The project could potentially also include major modifications to the Mt Eden Station at the southern end. An… …   Wikipedia

  • Auckland Railway electrification — The Auckland urban railway network is to be electrified using 25kV overhead wires. This matches the system between Hamilton Palmerston North. Wellington uses an older technology 1500VDC system.Finance for the overhead wires signaling will be from …   Wikipedia

  • Auckland CBD — Auckland Central Business District The Auckland Central Business District (CBD) as seen from Rangitoto Island. Basic information Local authority Auckland Council …   Wikipedia

  • Rail privatisation in New Zealand — took place between 1993 and 2008. History New Zealand s railways were initially run by the former provincial governments. The Canterbury Provincial Railways opened the first line, the Ferrymead Railway, in 1863. It was followed by railways in… …   Wikipedia

  • Rail transport in New Zealand — Infobox rail railroad name = Rail transport in New Zealand logo filename = logo size = system map caption = The current New Zealand railway network. marks = locale = NZL start year = 1863 end year = predecessor line = successor line = gauge =… …   Wikipedia

  • Auckland Regional Transport Authority — Infobox Company name = Auckland Regional Transport Authority. type = Council controlled organisation under the Auckland Regional Council genre = foundation = 2004 by act of parliament founder = location city = 21 Pitt St, Auckland location… …   Wikipedia

  • Auckland — This article is about the Auckland metropolitan area. For the wider region, see Auckland Region. For the local authority, see Auckland Council. For all other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau (Māori)   Main… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”