Lewinia muelleri
The Auckland Rail, Lewinia muelleri, is a small, exceedingly rare, and highly secretive member of the rail family (Rallidae), endemic to a few predator-free islands within the New Zealand Subantarctic. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm in length and weighing around 90-100 grams, its cryptic plumage features a distinctive rufous-chestnut crown and nape contrasting with olive-brown upperparts finely barred with black. Its underparts are prominently barred black and white, especially on the flank...
Primarily inhabits dense, tangled vegetation, including tussock grass, sedge, scrub, and forest undergrowth, particularly near wetlands or coastal areas. Found from sea level to low elevations on its subantarctic island refuges.
Omnivorous, primarily consuming invertebrates such as insects, worms, and mollusks, obtained by probing and gleaning from the ground and leaf litter, supplemented with some plant material like seeds.
The Auckland Rail is largely crepuscular or nocturnal, though it can be active during the day in dense cover, making it incredibly difficult to observe. Foraging occurs primarily on the ground, where it probes leaf litter and soft soil with its bill for invertebrates, often moving with a characte...
The Auckland Rail is exclusively endemic to the New Zealand Subantarctic Auckland Islands, with its stronghold on predator-free Adams Island. Historically, the species was also present on the main Auckland Island, but introduced predators such as cats and pigs led to its extirpation from that lar...
Vulnerable
- The Auckland Rail is so elusive that it was once thought to be extinct for many years before its rediscovery in 1966. - It is considered one of the rarest and most difficult birds to see in the world, with few ornithologists having ever observed it in the wild. - This rail is essentially flight...