Talaud bush-hen

The Talaud bush-hen (Amaurornis magnirostris) is a vulnerable waterbird in the rail and crake family.

Talaud bush-hen
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Gruiformes
Family:	Rallidae
Genus:	Amaurornis
Species:	A. magnirostris
Binomial name
Amaurornis magnirostris Lambert, 1998

It is a recently described species from Karakelang Island in the Talaud Islands, Indonesia. It occurs in forest, scrub, and overgrown plantations.

Description

Talaud bush-hen is a 30.5 cm long, large, very dark and robust bush-hen. Its large head and its upperparts are dark brown, its underparts and flanks are very dark bluish grey. The large, thick bill is pale green, and the legs are yellow, becoming more olive at the rear.

The only confirmed call of this shy species is a series of loud, low-pitched croaking barks, but it is likely that it also makes the shrieks typical of bush-hens.

Status

The population is estimated at 2,350-9,560 individuals on Karakelang. It may also occur on neighbouring islands, but there is little forest on those, less than 20 km² compared to 350 km² on Karakelang.

There are two protected areas totalling 21,800 hectares, but there has been no management and these areas are threatened by agricultural encroachment, illegal logging, and fire. Trapping for food and introduced rats may also pose a threat.