Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species, the smallest flightless bird in the world, qualifies as Vulnerable because, although abundant, it is restricted to one tiny island and is at risk from chance events such as the accidental introduction of alien predators from neighbouring islands.
Population justification
Dilley et al. (2020) estimated the total population to be 9,100 - 12,200 individuals, roughly equivalent to 5,460 - 7,320 mature individuals. This is higher than the total population estimate of 8,400 birds by Fraser et al. (1992). However, this new estimate is not suitable to infer population trends due to the crudeness of some historic estimates (Dilley et al. 2020).
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable (Dilley et al. 2020).
Laterallus rogersi is confined to the South Atlantic island of Inaccessible, Tristan da Cunha (St Helena to UK). It is abundant on the island and may be at carrying capacity given its high population density, delayed maturity, small clutch-size, and lack of major predators or competitors (Fraser et al. 1992; Taylor and van Perlo 1998).
Behaviour This species is sedentary and flightless (del Hoyo et al. 1996; Taylor and van Perlo 1998). It is monogamous, and lives in family groups, holding small territories at a density of up to 10-15 birds per hectare in good quality habitat (Collar and Stuart 1985; Taylor and van Perlo 1998; P. G. Ryan in litt. 2000). Breeding occurs from October to January (P. G. Ryan in litt. 2000).
Habitat It occurs virtually throughout the island, on most vegetation types, at all altitudes, and even on the steepest slopes (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). Breeding Breeding has been recorded in coastal tussock-grass Spartina arundinacea, especially where this is mixed with the fern Blechnum penna-marina to form luxurian undergrowth and mats of vegetation (Collar and Stuart 1985; Taylor and van Perlo 1998). Nests have also been found in beds of sedge on the plateau, where the species often occurs in open fern-bush habitats and island-tree thickets, generally away from the cliffs (Collar and Stuart 1985; P. G. Ryan in litt. 2000). It inhabits heathland at the island's highest altitudes (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). In general it prefers areas where vegetation, boulders or other landscape features at ground level provide tunnels in which to shelter and to breed (Collar and Stuart 1985). Non-breeding It forages in every available habitat including very short vegetation, boulder beaches and marshy areas (Fraser et al. 1992). It is absent from one site of short dry tussocks on cinder cones (Collar and Stuart 1985; Taylor and van Perlo 1998).
Diet The diet comprises a wide range of invertebrates including earthworms and moths, centipedes, and a wide variety of insects and insect larvae, as well as berries and seeds (Collar and Stuart 1985; Taylor and van Perlo 1998).
Breeding site Nests are built on the ground beneath a dense cover of vegetation (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). They are carefully woven from the vegetation in which they are sited, usually oval or pear-shaped, and accessed via a track or tunnel extending for up to 50cm through the vegetation (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). A clutch consists of two eggs (P. G. Ryan in litt. 2000).
Predation by Tristan Thrush Nesocichla eremita and wet weather are believed to be the main causes of chick mortality, but pose no real threat. However, there is a permanent risk that the island will be colonised by mammalian predators, particularly the Black Rat Rattus rattus from Tristan. The colonisation of potential competitors would also be a threat, as well as alien invertebrates which could negatively modify the prey base (P. G. Ryan in litt. 1999). Despite its name, the island is now more accessible to islanders via small boats based at Tristan (P. G. Ryan in litt. 1999).
Conservation Actions Underway
Inaccessible is a nature reserve and, although Tristan Islanders retain the right to collect driftwood and guano, other access is restricted (Cooper et al. 1995). A management plan for the island was published in 2001, and updated in 2010 (Ryan and Glass 2001; RSPB and TCD 2010); this was being updated again in 2016. Inaccessible was added to the Gough Island World Heritage Site in 2004 (RSPB and TCD 2010). New Zealand flax has been removed from coastal and plateau areas and is now confined to c.300 m of cliffs around the Waterfall (P. G. Ryan in litt. 2012).
17 cm. Small, very dark rail. Dark grey on underparts and dark rusty-brown on upperparts. Short black bill, greyish legs and red eye. Immature is overall brownish in colour with dark eye. Adults show various degrees of white barring on flanks and belly. Voice Loud, trilling call, various soft contact tchik calls, and harsh, loud chip alarm call.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Cooper, J., Ekblom, R., McClellan, R., Ryan, P.G., Shutes, S., Stattersfield, A., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Inaccessible Island Rail Laterallus rogersi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/inaccessible-island-rail-laterallus-rogersi on 24/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 24/12/2024.