The New Caledonian Swamphen was a large, flightless swamphen endemic to New Caledonia. Known from abundant subfossil remains, it was a robust, heavily built bird, likely a dominant terrestrial herbivore in its ecosystem. It went extinct after human arrival.
Where to spot
Known only from extensive subfossil remains on New Caledonia.
How to spot
This bird is extinct and cannot be observed. Information is based on extensive skeletal remains.
When to spot
Extinct. It is believed to have gone extinct during the Polynesian settlement of New Caledonia, due to hunting and predation by introduced Pacific rats.
Where to spot
Known only from extensive subfossil remains on New Caledonia.
How to spot
This bird is extinct and cannot be observed. Information is based on extensive skeletal remains.
When to spot
Extinct. It is believed to have gone extinct during the Polynesian settlement of New Caledonia, due to hunting and predation by introduced Pacific rats.
This enormous, flightless swamphen was one of the largest rails ever known, emphasizing the remarkable evolutionary adaptations that occurred on isolated island environments.
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