Gallirallus owstoni
The Guam Rail, or `Ko'ko'` as it's known to the Chamorro people, is a medium-sized, flightless bird, endemic to the island of Guam in the Mariana Islands. Measuring approximately 25-28 cm (10-11 inches) in length and weighing around 180-250 g (6-9 oz), its plumage features brown upperparts finely barred with black, contrasting with a gray breast and belly, and distinctive bold white barring on its flanks. A prominent white supercilium above a dark eye-stripe, and a rusty-chestnut cap, aid in ...
Lowland, dense tangles of secondary forest, grasslands, and savannas, preferring areas with thick ground cover for concealment and foraging; typically found at elevations below 150 meters.
Omnivorous, its diet primarily consists of insects, small reptiles (lizards, geckos), snails, seeds, and various plant parts, which it forages for by probing the ground and leaf litter.
Primarily diurnal and crepuscular, the Guam Rail is often most active during the early morning and late afternoon, foraging secretively within dense cover. They are monogamous, forming strong pair bonds and vigorously defending a territory typically spanning 1-2 hectares. Nesting occurs on the gr...
Historically, the Guam Rail was endemic to the island of Guam in the Mariana Islands, Western Pacific Ocean, where it was once widely distributed across various lowland habitats, including dense forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas, typically found up to approximately 150 meters elevation....
Critically Endangered
- The Guam Rail is the first bird species to be re-established in the wild after being declared 'Extinct in the Wild' by the IUCN. - Its local Chamorro name is `Ko'ko'`, an onomatopoeic reflection of its distinctive calls. - The entire wild population on Guam was eradicated by the invasive brown ...