Hawkins's Rail vs African Rail

Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi compared with Rallus caerulescens

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Hawkins's Rail African Rail
Scientific Name Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi Rallus caerulescens
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Extinct Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 23.8 cm (9.4 in)
Weight 2000.0 g (70.55 oz) 160.25 g (5.65 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-6
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Hawkins's Rail only

African Rail only

Conservation Status

Extinct

Hawkins's Rail

Least Concern

African Rail

About These Birds

Hawkins's Rail

Hawkins's Rail (Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi). Extinct. Large flightless rail formerly endemic to Chatham Islands, New Zealand; estimated 50 cm. Known from sub-fossil bones. Driven to extinction by Polynesian settlers and introduced rats before European contact, likely by 1400 CE. Omnivore of forest floor.

African Rail

African Rail (Rallus caerulescens), 28 cm. Brown above with dark streaks; blue-grey underparts; barred white flanks; red bill and legs. Found in freshwater reedbeds and swamp margins across sub-Saharan Africa. Omnivore. Least Concern; common in wetland habitat.

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