Animalia Life

Atlantisia rogersi
SUBFAMILY
Rallinae
TAXONOMY
Atlantisia rogersi Lowe, 1923, Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha. Monotypic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Rвle atlantis; German: Atlantisralle; Spanish: Rasconcillo de Tristan da Cunha.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
5–6 in (13–15.5.cm); 1.2–1.7 oz (34–49 g). Smallest flightless bird. Male gray-black, with dark brown back and wings; narrow white barring on upperwings and underparts. Female paler, browner; juvenile black.
DISTRIBUTION
Inaccessible Island.
HABITAT
All island vegetation types from tussock grass to boulder beaches.
BEHAVIOR
Territorial, with small territories 0.025–0.1 acres (0.01–0.04 ha). Partly subterranean, using tunnels through vegetation and cavities under boulder beaches.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Eats invertebrates; also seeds and berries.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Monogamous; pair bond permanent. Lays October through January. Nest domed, on ground in dense vegetation; of dead grass or sedges. Eggs: two. May retain immature plumage for two years, suggesting delayed maturity. Fertility possibly low; chick mortality high.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Abundant, with a population of 8,400–10,000 birds in 1992; possibly at carrying capacity. Vulnerable: permanently at risk from the accidental introduction of predators and other chance events.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

Other popular Animals