Samoan Moorhen

The Samoan Wood Rail , also known as Samoan Moorhen, is a nearly flightless rail endemic to the Samoan island of Savai'i, and probably extinct. As it has evolved adaptations for a more terrestrial lifestyle and at least partly nocturnal habits, it is probably better placed in a distinct genus, Pareudiastes , but this issue has not yet been thoroughly researched. It was known as puna'e to the native Samoans; this was said to relate to the bird's habit of making a jumping dash into cover when startled from its resting place.

The Samoan Moorhen is classified as Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Samoan Moorhen (Pareudiastes pacifica), and no one had seen it for 130 years, until, in 2003, a reputable bird tour guide reported seeing a pair on the island of Savai'i, Samoa. With funding from the Chase Coggins Memorial Scholarship, the Environmental Studies Summer Internship Program, and the Yale College Dean's Research Fellowship, I spent the summer of 2005 following up this report and trying to determine whether the Samoan Moorhen is in fact extant.. More

* Samoan Moorhen, Gallinula pacifica – sometimes placed in Pareudiastes, extinct (1907)? * Makira Moorhen, Gallinula silvestris – sometimes placed in Pareudiastes or Edithornis, extinct (mid-20th century)? * Tristan Moorhen, Gallinula nesiotis – extinct (late 19th century) * Gough Island Moorhen, Gallinula comeri * Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus * Dusky Moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa * Lesser Moorhen, Gallinula angulata More

They say the Samoan moorhen may have disappeared and that three other bird species from Polynesian countries have dwindled to such low numbers that extinction is virtually inevitable. The South Pacific Regional Environmental Program's Greg Shelly says the seminar will decide which species are facing extinction and most in need of saving. He has told Pacific Beat the birds are important for eco-tourism, have cultural and spiritual meaning, and indicate the state of the local environment. More

as Samoan Moorhen, is a nearly flightless rail endemic to the Samoan island of Savai'i, and probably extinct. As it has evolved adaptations for a more terrestrial lifestyle and at least partly nocturnal habits, it is probably better placed in a distinct genus, Pareudiastes (which sometimes includes the more distinct Makira Wood Rail too - see Olson, 1975), but this issue has not yet been thoroughly researched. More

Tribonyx—and a species close to the Samoan Moorhen from Buka, Solomon Islands, which is almost certainly distinct from the Makira Moorhen as the latter cannot fly. The undescribed Viti Levu Gallinule of Fiji would either be separated in Pareudiastes if that genus is considered valid, or may be a completely new genus. Similarly, the undescribed Mangaia "swamphen," currently tentatively assigned to Porphyrio, may belong to Gallinula/Pareudiastes. Evolution Still older fossils document the genus since the Late Oligocene onwards. More

the Samoan moorhen, has not been confirmed alive since 1873, according to BirdLife.org, with possible sightings in 1987 and 2003. Savai'i, though one of the largest islands in Polynesia (almost 700 square miles), is also one of the least populated (about 50,000 people). Cryptozoological research should next focus on speaking with Savai'i islanders to determine whether any such reptiles have been reported in modern times, and if so, which habitat (e.g., lowland rainforest, cloud forest, etc.) would be best targeted for field work. More