Gallinula pacifica

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	GRUIFORMES	RALLIDAE

Scientific Name:

Gallinula pacifica

Species Authority:

(Hartlaub & Finsch, 1871)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Samoan Moorhen

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Beichle, U., Freifeld, H., Hobcroft, D.

Justification:
This species has not been seen since 1873, and it may have been severely impacted by introduced cats, rats, pigs and dogs, compounded by hunting. However, it cannot be presumed to have gone Extinct, because extensive habitat remains, the species may be nocturnal and hence hard to record, and there were unconfirmed reports in 1987 and 2003. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.

History:

2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered
1988	–	Extinct

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Gallinula pacifica is endemic to Savai`i, Samoa, where it was last recorded in 1873⁶. In 1984 there were two possible sightings in upland forest west of Mt Elietoga³, and in October 2003 a possible sighting of two individuals was made at 990 m on Mount Sili Sili⁹. A recent survey of the island yielded no record of the species¹⁰.
Countries:	Possibly extinct: Samoa
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Any remaining population assumed to be tiny, with no definite records since 1873, but two possible sightings in 1987 and another in 2003.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is restricted to primary montane forest and most probably feeds on invertebrates, including insects. It may dig or live in burrows. One nest is described: it was found on the ground, constructed of a few twigs and some grass, and containing two eggs^3,5,8. It has exceptionally large eyes and may thus be nocturnal⁸.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Cats, rats, pigs and dogs have no doubt contributed to its disappearance, and hunting may also have been a factor as it was formerly a favoured food of the human population^3,8. Slash-and-burn cultivation threatens remaining areas of upland forest on Savai`i, as farmers use forestry roads from heavily logged lowland forests to gain access to formerly inaccessible land³. Wild cattle and pigs have browsed the understorey and ground-cover along the main range³. In 2000, attempts were being made by sawmill operators to clear-fell the area south of Aopo village, the site where this species was last seen².

Major Threat(s):

Cats, rats, pigs and dogs have no doubt contributed to its disappearance, and hunting may also have been a factor as it was formerly a favoured food of the human population^3,8. Slash-and-burn cultivation threatens remaining areas of upland forest on Savai`i, as farmers use forestry roads from heavily logged lowland forests to gain access to formerly inaccessible land³. Wild cattle and pigs have browsed the understorey and ground-cover along the main range³. In 2000, attempts were being made by sawmill operators to clear-fell the area south of Aopo village, the site where this species was last seen².

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway None are known. Conservation Actions Proposed Urgently conduct a survey to find this species and assess its status and conservation needs⁷. Protect foothill and upland forest for this and other species in north-west Savai`i¹. Train local people to do bird surveys, generally involve the community and improve awareness of the species^4,7. Assess field sites for the study of this and other threatened species on the island⁴.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
None are known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Urgently conduct a survey to find this species and assess its status and conservation needs⁷. Protect foothill and upland forest for this and other species in north-west Savai`i¹. Train local people to do bird surveys, generally involve the community and improve awareness of the species^4,7. Assess field sites for the study of this and other threatened species on the island⁴.

Bibliography [top]

	Beichle, U. and Bauchmann, S. 2003. Die Landvoegel der Samoa-Inseln. TenDenZen 1-2: 1-156. Bellingham, M.; Davis, A. 1988. Forest bird communities in Western Samoa. Notornis 35: 117-128. Pratt, H. D.; Bruner, P. L.; Berrett, D. G. 1987. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press, Princeton. Ripley, S. D. 1977. Rails of the world. M. F. Feheley, Toronto. SPREP. 1999. Proceedings of the Polynesian Avifauna Conservation Workshop held in Rarotonga, 26-30 April 1999. Taylor, B.; van Perlo, B. 1998. Rails: a guide to the rails, crakes, gallinules and coots of the world. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK.

Beichle, U. and Bauchmann, S. 2003. Die Landvoegel der Samoa-Inseln. TenDenZen 1-2: 1-156.

Bellingham, M.; Davis, A. 1988. Forest bird communities in Western Samoa. Notornis 35: 117-128.

Pratt, H. D.; Bruner, P. L.; Berrett, D. G. 1987. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

Ripley, S. D. 1977. Rails of the world. M. F. Feheley, Toronto.

SPREP. 1999. Proceedings of the Polynesian Avifauna Conservation Workshop held in Rarotonga, 26-30 April 1999.

Taylor, B.; van Perlo, B. 1998. Rails: a guide to the rails, crakes, gallinules and coots of the world. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Gallinula pacifica. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2012.
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