Woodford's Rail
Gallirallus woodfordi
A very dark short-tailed rail, often appearing entirely black. Dark brown on the wings and back, with black on the neck, head, and underparts. Bill yellowish or gray. Flightless. Occurs in damp lowland grassland and grassy thickets within forest. Sounds include a series of sharp yelping and squealing “kik-kik” noises.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Gallirallus woodfordi
- Authority
- (Ogilvie-Grant, 1889)
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Gallirallus
Range and habitat
It is endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical swamps, rivers, freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, and rural gardens.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
It is currently threatened by habitat loss and is the only surviving species of the genus Nesoclopeus. However, recent genetic evidence finds that the species is nested within Hypotaenidia, as sister taxon to the Guam rail.
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Ashy-throated Warbler
Phylloscopus maculipennis
With its gray head and snow-white brow stripe, this species is fairly distinctive for a leaf warbler. Active and agile inhabitant of foothill to montane forests, where it often joins mixed-species flocks. Ashen-gray head distinguishes it from most other leaf warblers; Buff-barred Warbler occasionally has a grayish head but has a yellowish brow stripe instead of a white one. Frequently hovers, during which bright white tail edges are often visible. Song is a short burst of sharp piercing whistles. Call is a high, sharp “tzit” note.
Red-bellied Parrot
Poicephalus rufiventris
A chunky, mid-sized parrot with a big bill and a short tail. Males have a large orange patch on the underparts and underwings. Females are much plainer. Found in savanna and woodland habitat, often around fruiting trees, usually in pairs. The calls include screaming notes and quieter whistles. Similar to Meyer’s and Brown-headed Parrots, but males separated by the orange in their plumage, and females by their lack of a yellow underwing patch.
Sunset Lorikeet
Trichoglossus forsteni
A fairly large long-tailed parrot with unmistakable striking coloration. Green with a dark purple head, a red bill, a lime-green collar, and a broad red chest patch above deep purple underparts. Juveniles duller, with a brownish bill. Found in noisy groups, mainly in the lowlands but also up into the mountains, where it occupies the edges of forests and wooded areas. Restricted to Lombok and Bali, where it is the only lorikeet. Gives shrill screeches: “EEEEK!”
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