Roviana Rail Gallirallus rovianae Scientific name definitions

30 cm. During many years known only from the holotype, sex and age unknown, but apparently fully grown. Medium-sized rail , flightless or nearly so, but with long tail; unmarked upperparts almost uniform dark chestnut brown , showing slightly richer colour on nape which continues into richer, more reddish chestnut mask through eye; wing barring restricted to small white spots on primary coverts; colours of bare parts in life not known (for purposes of plate, predicted from closest relatives). Closest in plumage to H. philippensis and H. owstoni, but appears less boldly patterned than former and has longer tarsus; underpart barring brown, not black; also has reduced barring on wings. Birds observed on Kolombangara reported to be generally darker and to lack breast band .

C Solomon Is: on Kolombangara, Wana Wana, Kohinggo, New Georgia and Rendova.

Described as occurring in forest, especially second growth, where young trees grow on abandoned garden sites; also recorded in open ground on grassy airstrip.

Said to be omnivorous, taking worms, small crabs, seeds, coconut shoots, and potatoes and taro from gardens .

Reported to breed in dry season, Jun, when rainwater is not a problem on forest floor. Nest said to be depression in the ground, lined with debris. Reported 2–3 eggs. An adult followed by two young black downy chicks was filmed at Kolombangara in Oct 2010. No further information available.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. Listed distribution mainly based on reports by local people on the islands concerned; in 1994 sighted on Kolombangara, where reported to be common. May also occur on nearby islands of Vangunu and Tetipari, where it has not yet been sought. Apparently does not occur on the other major islands near New Georgia (Vella Lavella, Ranongga, Simbo, Gizo and Nggatokai), as local inhabitants do not know it. Seems to be widespread on New Georgia; current status elsewhere not known, but its extremely restricted distribution gives cause for concern.