Samoan woodhen
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| phylum | Chordata | The Samoan woodhen (Gallinula pacifica), also known as Samoan wood rail, is a nearly flightless rail endemic to the Samoan island of Savai'i, and probably extinct. As it has evolved adaptations for a more terrestrial lifestyle and at least partly nocturnal habits, it is probably better placed in a distinct genus, Pareudiastes (which sometimes includes the more distinct Makira wood rail too), but this issue has not yet been thoroughly researched. It was known as puna'e ("one that jumps up") to the native Samoans; this was said to relate to the bird's habit of making a jumping dash into cover when startled from its resting place.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to Gruiformes |
| clade | Diapsida | |
| Class | Aves | |
| order | Gruiformes | |
| family | Rallidae | |
| genus | Gallinula | |
| species | G. pacifica |
