Chatham Islands bellbird

The Chatham Islands bellbird (Anthornis melanocephala) or kōmako is an extinct species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It was endemic to the Chatham Islands.

Nest

Chatham Island bellbird (Anthornis melanocephala) specimen from the Auckland Museum collection.

Chatham Islands bellbird
Conservation status
Extinct (1906)  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Meliphagidae
Genus:	Anthornis
Species:	†A. melanocephala
Binomial name
†Anthornis melanocephala G.R. Gray, 1843
Original distribution on a map of the Chatham Islands

Description

In appearance it was very similar to the New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura) but was considerably larger. Also the whole of the head and neck was brightly glossed in purplish or steel-blue.^[2]

Behaviour

The kōmako nested from August to October, usually laying three eggs in a larger nest than those made by mainland bellbirds. It's call was described as "the sweetest-throated of all the Antipodean songsters".^[3]

Extinction

Cats were identified as the main cause of extinction after they reached Rangatira Island in 1831 and later Mangere Island.^[3]

It was last observed in 1906 on Little Mangere Island. The population was likely impacted by the introduction of a disease as there was a sudden population decline before the onset of other disturbances such as rats, cats and specimen collectors.