Gallirallus Philippensis Research Articles

Sifat Kuantitatif Burung Weris (Gallirallus philippensis) Jantan dan Betina

The purpose of this study was to determine the quantitative nature of male and female Weris (Gallirallus philippensis) in Wonosari District, Boalemo Regency. The study was conducted in August-October 2019. This study used a sample of 20 Weris birds consisting of 10 males and 10 females. The method used is a survey method, through direct observation in the field. Observations on the quantitative nature of Weris birds (Gallirallus philippensis) were carried out directly at the research location. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The results showed the average body size of male Weris birds were: body weight 171.9 gr, femur length 5.42 cm, tibia length 6.81 cm, long shank 4.56 cm, third finger length 3.48 cm, maxilla length 3, 14 cm, wing length 11.20 cm, neck bone length 7.07 cm, shank circumference 1.68 cm. Body weight of male weris 171.9 ± 11.06, females 135.90 ± 11.82 with diversity coefficient 6.43 and 8.70

Predation of a Buff-banded Rail Hypotaenidia philippensis by Australian Ravens Corvus coronoides on Penguin Island, Western Australia

Australian Ravens Corvus coronoides , although primarily scavengers, are known to prey on large vertebrates, which can detrimentally affect the prey populations. This paper describes an Australian Raven attacking and killing a Buffbanded Rail Hypotaenidia philippensis on Penguin Island, Western Australia, in the presence of several other Ravens.

Camera trapping and transect counts yield complementary insights into an endangered island endemic rail

Island endemic species are disproportionately represented in the tally of global extinctions. The island endemic Cocos buff-banded rail (Hypotaenidia philippensis andrewsi) is classified under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) as Endangered. It is restricted to the remote Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean where, until 2013, only the island Pulu Keeling supported a population of this species, following earlier extirpations of the bird from islands in the southern atoll. To establish a second viable population to mitigate against potential extinction of this subspecies, 39 rails were reintroduced from Pulu Keeling to Horsburgh Island in April 2013. As a component of post-translocation monitoring, we conducted intensive camera trapping from 29 May 2015 to 30 June 2016 (397 calendar days) to investigate recruitment success, behaviour and potential threats to the population. Biannual transect sampling to monitor and investigate long-term population density was also conducted. We found Cocos buff-banded rail persisting on Horsburgh Island with an increase in the founder population to 97 rails in February 2016. Ongoing recruitment with breeding activity on Horsburgh Island and the emigration of rails to nearby (2.5km) Direction Island is indicative of short-term success. Images from the camera traps have documented behaviours that have not previously been described for the species. House mice were also identified as a potential threat to the Horsburgh Island rail population. Island rail species have suffered a high rate of extinctions, and their conservation remains a formidable challenge, given the risks of continuing introductions of invasive mammalian predator species.

Interisland gene flow among populations of the buff‐banded rail (Aves: Rallidae) and its implications for insular endemism in Oceania

Studies of fragmented habitat, such as island archipelagos, provide insights into the microevolutionary processes that drive early stages of diversification. Here, we examined genetic variation and gene flow among populations of the widespread buff‐banded rail Gallirallus philippensis in Oceania to understand the factors that promote speciation associated within this bird lineage. We analysed mtDNA Control Region sequences and six microsatellite loci from a total of 152 individuals of buff‐banded rail on islands and continental areas. We used a phylogeographic model‐testing approach and a structured spatial design ranging from within to among archipelagoes in the south Pacific. Buff‐banded rail populations in the Philippines archipelago and nearby Palau and Wallacea had high genetic diversity while those in geographically distant Australia showed lower variation. Other archipelagos sampled were found to have less genetic diversity and included haplotypes closely related to Wallacea (Bismarck, Vanuatu, New Caledonia) or Australia (New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Cocos Islands). Nucleotide diversity and allele frequency declined with degree of geographic isolation but haplotype diversity remained more even. However, both nucleotide and haplotype diversities were positively correlated with land area. Microsatellite data for a subset of locations showed moderate to high genetic differentiation and significant pairwise FST despite a relatively high migration rate. Our results are mostly consistent with a model of abrupt genetic changes due to founder events with multiple dispersals into Australia from Wallacea and Bismarck. Australia has probably been the source of birds for islands in the Pacific. This is shown by decreasing genetic diversity and growing genetic differentiation when distances separating populations increased from Australia. A history of range expansion and divergent natural selection may help explain the existence of numerous sympatric Gallirallus island endemics.

Birds Species of Rallidae Family in Forestry and Environment Research and Development Institute of Manado

This study aims to determine species and conservation status of Rallidae family in Forestry and Environment Research and Development Institute of Manado; also the prospect of its development. This study may provide a source of data and information on the diversity of certain bird species. Observations conducted in June 2015 included the species of birds in Rallidae family found around the Forestry and Environment Research and Development Institute of Manado. Data were analyzed descriptively in the forms of figures and tables. Results showed that there were three species within this family found in Manado Forestry Research Institute. Those were isabelline bush-hen (Amaurornis isabellina), buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis), and Barred Rail (Gallirallus torquatus). All three species are not protected in Indonesia and IUCN categorized them as Least Concern (LC). Isabelline bush-hen is endemic to the island of Sulawesi, while buff-banded rail and barred rail have a wide distribution. Weris has a good prospect to be domesticated.

Birds Species of Rallidae Family in Forestry and Environment Research and Development Institute of Manado

This study aims to determine species and conservation status of Rallidae family in Forestry and Environment Research and Development Institute of Manado; also the prospect of its development. This study may provide a source of data and information on the diversity of certain bird species. Observations conducted in June 2015 included the species of birds in Rallidae family found around the Forestry and Environment Research and Development Institute of Manado. Data were analyzed descriptively in the forms of figures and tables. Results showed that there were three species within this family found in Manado Forestry Research Institute. Those were isabelline bush-hen (Amaurornis isabellina), buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis), and Barred Rail (Gallirallus torquatus). All three species are not protected in Indonesia and IUCN categorized them as Least Concern (LC). Isabelline bush-hen is endemic to the island of Sulawesi, while buff-banded rail and barred rail have a wide distribution. Weris has a good prospect to be domesticated.

Conservation status and reintroduction of the Cocos Buff-banded Rail, Gallirallus philippensis andrewsi

An endemic subspecies of Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis) is restricted to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a group of 27 islands, with total area of ~15 km2, in the north-eastern Indian Ocean. Human settlement led to marked environmental degradation of the 26 islands in the southern atoll of the group. The Cocos Buff-banded Rail declined severely, with the last confirmed record from islands in the southern atoll in 1991. The subspecies has persisted, however, with a population of ~800 individuals, on a single island, Pulu Keeling, 24 km north of the southern atoll. A recovery plan for this endangered subspecies recommended reintroduction to a suitable island in the southern atoll. This paper provides a brief overview of the history and status of the subspecies, and describes an April 2013 reintroduction of 39 rails from Pulu Keeling to the 1-km2 Horsburgh Island in the southern atoll. This program has had at least short-term success, with monitoring showing successful recruitment in the reintroduced population, and its increase to ~54 individuals by October 2014 and ~121 individuals by June 2015. Much of the world's loss of biodiversity has been from, and continues to occur on, islands: this project demonstrates that well-considered mitigation of threats and translocation programs can provide solutions to this challenge.

Growth and development of Buff-banded Rail chicks

The Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis is not uncommon in favourable parts of its range but its elusive nature makes it difficult to study and, in particular, development of chicks to attainment of juvenile plumage and adult size is incompletely reported. In the northern suburbs of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, planned storm-water management has resulted in the formation of wetlands, watercourses and pools, an ideal environment for rails and crakes. Physical and behavioural development could therefore be followed from opportunistic observations and photography of three broods of chicks, from black downy hatchlings to fully fledged juveniles, at Forde Creek in 2014–2015. The first feathers were visible on the fourth day. All the down had been replaced withfeathers by around the third week, by which time the juveniles were about half the size of the adults. The juvenile Rails took another 3 weeks to fully develop the distinctive juvenile plumage patterning, similar to but duller than in adults, and by this time they were the same size as the adults. Although the rate of plumage development is broadly consistent with the literature, the growth rate was slower than the widely quoted figure of adult size being reached in 3 weeks. Observations over 107 days in summer 2014–autumn 2015 provided an opportunity to observe the behaviour of dependent chicks and adults as the chicks developed into juveniles and gained independence.

Darwin’s atolls revisited: lagoon infilling and closure has ecological consequences to North Keeling Atoll

Charles Darwin’s seminal theory of atoll formation was developed during his epic voyage on the Beagle. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands (12°12′ S, 96°54′ E) were the only atolls Darwin visited and comparisons with his 1836 observations reveal sediment-infilling of the south-east lagoon entrances at the southern atoll (Smithers et al. 1992). Here, we report that the same processes have caused the closure of the only lagoon entrance (south-east) at the northern atoll in 2005. In 2014 the lagoon entrance remained closed and had been colonised by plants. Prior to closing, the lagoon contained coral, seagrass, sand, and mud flats, which were inhabited by turtles, mud crabs (Scylla sp.), blacktip sharks, and at least 20 other fish species. The closure caused significant changes to the lagoon community. In 2008, we observed extensive cyanobacteria mats (10–50 cm thick) smothering the lagoon substrate. Removing this mat released a sulfur-like smell and revealed a thin layer (1–2 cm) of black sand covered in dead gastropod shells (1–2 cm in length). No seagrass was seen and the only animals observedwere milkfish (Chanos chanos) and small glass shrimp. Similar changes in habitat and community composition occurred at Clipperton Atoll following the lagoon closure, and were linked to three changes in water condition: desalination of surface water, a deeper water layer of anoxic H2S, and high nutrient input from seabirds (Charpy et al. 2010). It is likely that these changes also occurred at North Keeling Atoll, given its moderate rainfall, abundant nesting seabirds, and benthic layer of lagoon water smelling like H2S. We conducted detailed snorkel surveys around the entire outside of the atoll (at 1–15 m depth) and did not locate any seagrass, bonefish or juveniles of fishes previously reported from the lagoon. Species reliant on seagrass or lagoonal habitats may have become locally extinct. The endemic endangered buff-banded rail may also be affected because it forages on seagrass-associated crustacea (Cochrane 2004). The northern atoll was declared a national park in 1995 to protect the unique biodiversity, with the lagoon, considered an important nursery habitat, also listed as a Ramsar Wetland (Cochrane 2004). The Ramsar listing criteria are still met because it is a rare and unique natural wetland, and the surrounding Communicated by B. W. Hoeksema

Avian biodiversity in the coastal wetlands of the Okahukura Peninsula

The Tapora Landcare Group, operating on the Okahukura Peninsula, has the long-term goal of making this region predator fenced. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the current status of avian biodiversity and the bird community across the band of coastal wetlands on the Okahukura Peninsula. Bird counts were conducted and playback lures used to detect three cryptic wetland species: fernbirds (Bowdleria punctata); spotless crakes (Porzana tabuensis); and banded rails (Gallirallus philippensis). Fernbirds and banded rails were detected at seven of the eight wetland sites sampled whereas spotless crakes were detected at two sites. The native species with the highest relative abundance across the eight sites were silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) and South Island pied oystercatchers (Haematopus finschi). Changes in avian biodiversity over time in the region can now be monitored, and comprehensive long-term data on the status of avian biodiversity over time obtained.

MORFOMETRI BURUNG WERIS Gallirallus philippensis dan BURUNG WERIS Gallirallus torquatus DI KOTA KOTAMOBAGU SULAWESI UTARA

ABSTRACT Mandar bird ( Gallirallus ) or in Minahasa called with less weris bird has long been known by the people of North Sulawesi , Minahasa and especially the City of Kotamobagu. Is a bird in the family Rallidae family of birds that have a small to medium body size. General habitat of this bird is close river swamp or lake . Weris birds usually breed in thrive densely vegetated areas by Rusila (1994 ) . Identify the problem at least some information about morphometric characteristics some species of weris bird. In North Sulawesi city of Kotamobagu the purpose of this study was to obtain data morphometric characteristics of weris birds in the city of Kotamobagu. The expected benefits of the research , provide information about morphometric charaeteristics of weris birds , which is useful in the breeding process . Based on the results of research conducted in the City of Kotamobagu Bolaang Mongondo North Sulawesi , found 2 different types of weris birds that Gallirallus philippensis and Gallirallus torquatus . Of the two types of birds have different characters that can be seen from the outside or exterior appearance , and also can be seen from the size where Gallirallus philippensis have a smaller size compared to Gallirallus torquatus. . Keywords : bird weris , Morfomertri .

PRODUKSI DAN KANDUNGAN PROTEIN MAGGOT (HERMETIA ILLUCENS) DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN MEDIA TUMBUH BERBEDA

ABSTRACT PRODUCTION AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF MAGGOT (HERMETIA ILLUCENS)USING DIFFERENT GROWTH MEDIA. Mandar bird (Gallirallus) called “weris” bird in North Sulawesi, had been generally known in Minahasa and Kotamobagu areas. Bird in the family of the Rallidae have a small to medium body size. The purpose of this study was to obtain the morphometric characteristics of weris birds in the areas of Kotamobagu. The expected benefit of this study was to provide information about morphometric charaeteristics of weris birds, which is useful in the breeding process. Observation was focused on general habitat of this bird closed to river swamp or lake. Weris birds usually breed in thrive densely vegetation areas. Identification of the characteristics was following the morphometric characteristics of some species of weris bird found around areas Kotamobagu. Based on the results of study conducted in the areas of Kotamobagu North Sulawesi, it was found that there were two different types of weris birds consisted of the species of Gallirallus philippensis and species of Gallirallus torquatus . These two types of birds have different characteristics that can be seen from the outside or exterior appearance, and also can be seen from the size. The species of Gallirallus philippensis has smaller body size compared to species of Gallirallus torquatus. Keywords : Weris bird, Morfomertric characteristics. Kotamobagu Areas.

Breeding Avifauna of the Chesterfield Islands, Coral Sea: Current Population Sizes, Trends, and Threats

This paper reports on post-1991 census data and on the breeding phenology of seabirds of the Chesterfield-Bampton and Bellona groups of coral islets in the Coral Sea. In total, 13 resident bird species were observed [Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), Masked Booby (S. dactylatra), Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), Red-footed Booby (S. sula), Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel), Great Frigatebird (F. minor), Black Noddy (Anous minutus), Brown Noddy (A. stolidus), Crested Tern (Sterna bergii), Sooty Tern (S. fuscata), Fairy Tern (S. nereis), Black-naped Tern (S. sumatrana), and Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis)]. Segregation for nesting habitat was similar to that previously observed on other coral-reef islets of the Coral Sea. Breeding periods were either in the winter (Masked and Red-footed Boobies, Frigatebirds, Fairy Tern) or in the summer (Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Black and Brown Noddies, Crested and Black-naped Terns) or year-round (Brown Booby). Sooty Terns bred twice a year (summer and spring), but this was not consistent across years. Estimates of breeding population sizes for the whole Chesterfield-Bampton and Bellona groups are proposed for Wedge-tailed Shearwater (90,000 to 106,000 breeding pairs), Masked Booby (280–500 pairs), Brown Booby (3,800–5,800 pairs), Redfooted Booby (7,200–7,300 pairs), Lesser Frigatebird (1,600 pairs), Great Frigatebird (350–480 pairs), Black Noddy (29,000–45,000 pairs), Brown Noddy (15,000–23,000 pairs), Crested Tern (80–100 pairs), Sooty Tern (11,000–46,000 pairs), and Black-naped Tern (70–90 pairs). Interannual fluctuation in breeding population size was apparent in Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Over the last 30 yr, an increase in Brown Booby abundance was noted, whereas declines are suspected for the Fairy Tern and Buff-banded Rail. Among the threats to nesting seabirds are stress and other disturbances caused by human frequentation, including poaching of seabird chicks and introduced mice.

Genetic tests of rapid parallel speciation of flightless birds from an extant volant ancestor

Prior to the extinction wave that followed the human colonization of Oceania, flightless rails (Aves: Rallidae) were among the largest radiations of island birds, and perhaps the most species-rich example of convergent evolution in vertebrates. Insular flightless species are thought to have evolved from extant, volant species that colonized from continental sources and rapidly followed parallel adaptive pathways to flightlessness. The present study provides the first test of this model of speciation using genetic data sampled throughout the range of a putative ancestral species. Mitochondrial control region sequences from 71 individuals of the Gallirallus philippensis species complex reveal essentially no geographic structure within archipelagos and only weak structure among archipelagos, with no major genetic breaks except for birds sampled in the Philippines. Demographic tests of coalescent models support a recent rapid expansion into Oceania (including Australia) out of the Philippines approximately 20 000 years ago. The estimated coalescence of G. philippensis mitochondrial alleles approximately 33 000 years ago closely corresponds to the expansion of humans into the archipelagoes of Near Oceania, suggesting that humans may have facilitated its colonization by exterminating flightless competitors and clearing lowland forests. Phylogenetic analyses that included all G. philippensis haplotypes and samples from 11 single-island endemic flightless species of Gallirallus indicate that G. philippensis is polyphyletic, but is not the ancestor of most of its flightless congeners, as previously thought. Nuclear gene sequences (β-actin inron 3) suggest that G. philippensis polyphyly is at least partly due to hybridization. The flightless condition evolves in rails before reproductive isolation is complete. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 96, 601–616.

Grain, pellet and wax block bait take by the house mouse (Mus musculus) and non‐target species: implications for mouse eradications on coral cay islands

Introduced rodents have been eradicated from large numbers of offshore islands using toxic baits; however, toxic baits have been linked with negative impacts on non-target species. The present study assessed the bait take of target (house mouse, Mus musculus) and non-target (buff banded rail, Rallus philippensis) animals on Northwest and Heron Islands in the Great Barrier Reef. Three non-toxic bait formulations (wax block, pellet and grain) were tested and each was applied at 1 kg ha(-1) in six treatment grids. The tracks of animals visiting the baits were identified using 30 tracking stations per treatment grid. A tracking station consisted of a track-board placed in the centre of a sand-pad. Mean bait take differed significantly between the formulations: birds took more grain bait than wax block bait; mice took more wax block than grain bait. Both mice and birds were equally selective of pellet bait. Thus, the findings indicate that wax blocks are the most suitable formulation for future baiting programs to eradicate mice on these and other islands.

Miocene waterfowl and other birds from central Otago, New Zealand

Synopsis Abundant fossil bird bones from the lower Bannockburn Formation, Manuherikia Group, an Early‐Middle Miocene lacustrine deposit, 16–19 Ma, from Otago in New Zealand, reveal the “St Bathans Fauna” (new name), a first Tertiary avifauna of land and freshwater birds from New Zealand. At least 23 species of birds are represented by bones, and probable moa, Aves: Dinornithiformes, by eggshell. Anatids dominate the fauna with four genera and five species described as new: a sixth and largest anatid species is represented by just one bone. This is the most diverse Early‐Middle Miocene duck fauna known worldwide. Among ducks, two species of dendrochenines are most numerous in the fauna, but a tadornine is common as well. A diving petrel (Pelecanoididae: Pelecanoides) is described, so extending the geological range of this genus worldwide from the Pliocene to the Middle Miocene, at least. The remaining 16 taxa are left undescribed but include: a large species of gull (Laridae); two small waders (Charadriiformes, genus indet.), the size of Charadrius bicinctus and Calidris ruficollis, respectively; a gruiform represented by one specimen similar to Aptornis; abundant rail (Rallidae) bones, including a common flightless rail and a rarer slightly larger taxon, about the size of Gallirallus philippensis; an ?eagle (Accipitridae); a pigeon (Columbidae); three parrots (Psittacidae); an owlet nightjar (Aegothelidae: Aegotheles sp.); a swiftlet (Apodidae: Collocalia sp.); and three passerine taxa, of which the largest is a member of the Cracticidae. The absence of some waterbirds, such as anserines (including swans), grebes (Podicipedidae) and shags (Phalacrocoracidae), among the abundant bones, indicates their probable absence from New Zealand in the Early‐Middle Miocene.

Comparative phylogeography and genetic structure of Vanuatu birds: Control region variation in a rail, a dove, and a passerine

We examined variation in mitochondrial control region (Domain I) sequences in three distantly related species of birds found on multiple islands in Vanuatu: the Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis ( n = 21, 433 bp), the Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica ( n = 21, 513 bp), and the Streaked Fantail Rhipidura spilodera ( n = 17, 326 bp). Nucleotide and haplotype diversity were similar in all three species and showed little to no geographic structure within Vanuatu. Estimates of demographic parameters, tests for excess rare alleles, and the structure of both haplotype networks and pairwise mismatch distributions support a hypothesis of recent colonization and subsequent expansion in C. indica and R. spilodera but not in G. philippensis. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that G. philippensis samples from Vanuatu are polyphyletic, and further indicate that this species has had a more complex history of colonization than do the other two species. Estimated divergence times of alleles sampled in Vanuatu suggest there may be slight differences among species in the timing of colonization of Vanuatu despite differences in flight ability and presumed dispersal ability. In all three species, current populations probably derive from colonists that arrived several million years after the islands formed. Our comparisons illustrate the potential of direct genetic analyses of to highlight historical differences among co-distributed species with similar levels of phenotypic variation.

Responses to neighbours and non-neighbours in the buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis): no dear-enemy relationships

Territorial individuals often respond less aggressively to intrusions by their neighbours than to intrusions by unfamiliar individuals. This commonly observed strategy, the dear-enemy phenomenon, is thought to minimise the costs associated with territory defence. This study determined whether an insular population of territory-holding buff-banded rails (Gallirallus philippensis) exhibits dear-enemy relationships and whether males and females differ in their responses to neighbours and non-neighbours. Playback techniques were used to examine and compare the vocalisations and movements of focal individuals in response to the territorial advertisement calls of their neighbours and of unfamiliar individuals (non-neighbours). Results showed that focal birds did not respond differently to the calls of neighbours and non-neighbours; thus, no evidence for the dear-enemy phenomenon was found in this species. We suggest that this result is due to the significant threats posed by neighbours to territory owners in this territorial system, in addition to a high level of territorial instability in the population. Males and females were shown to differ qualitatively in their general territorial response to intruders but not in their relative responses to neighbours and non-neighbours, suggesting that the relative threats posed by neighbours and non-neighbours do not differ between the sexes.

Testosterone is correlated with courtship but not aggression in the tropical buff-banded rail, Gallirallus philippensis

Past studies into the roles of testosterone in birds have focused on species that occur in temperate regions. In such species, plasma testosterone levels are high during the establishment of territories in the spring and are associated with increased aggression. In contrast to most temperate species, tropical birds frequently defend territories year-round, during which time territoriality often occurs in a nonsexual context. The few studies that have been carried out on tropical birds show lower levels of circulating testosterone than occur in their temperate counterparts. In some year-round territorial tropical species, testosterone and aggression are dissociated, while in other species testosterone still plays a role in regulating aggression. This study examined the relationship between aggression and plasma testosterone levels in a year-round territorial, subtropical population of the buff-banded rail with characteristics typical of tropical species. Peak testosterone levels were substantially lower than those found in temperate species. Males displayed a seasonal peak in plasma testosterone level when their partners were most likely to be fertile. At other times, testosterone levels were mostly undetectable, despite year-round territoriality. We found that T levels increased with courtship behavior but showed no relationship with aggression, supporting the hypothesis that dissociation between testosterone and territoriality may be widespread among tropical avian taxa.

LANDBIRDS ON OFFSHORE ISLANDS IN SAMOA

We surveyed birds on seven small (<3 km2) offshore islands in the Independent State of Samoa to investigate the distribution and abundance of landbirds relative to abiotic and biotic features of these islands. We recorded 17 of the 28 indigenous species of landbirds that reside in Independent Samoa. Species richness among the islands ranged from 3 to 12 species. Other than the domestic chicken, none of the non-native species common on the large islands of ‘Upolu and Savai'i was recorded on offshore islands. Nu'utele, the third-largest of the seven islands, had the greatest proportion of native forest and harbored the most species of landbirds, including five not found on any other offshore island (Tooth-billed Pigeon [Didunculus strigirostris], West Polynesian Ground-Dove [Gallicolumba stairi], Pacific Pigeon [Ducula pacifica], Samoan Whistler [Pachycephala flavifrons], and Samoan Flycatcher [Myiagra albiventris]). The similarly sized Apolima, which is inhabited and extensively cultivated, had only six species, about the same as the much smaller but forested Namua. Manono, the largest island, also has the largest human population, and harbored 10 landbird species. These included two species not recorded on Nu'utele (Banded Rail [Gallirallus philippensis] and Purple Swamphen [Porphyrio porphyrio]), both of which prefer disturbed habitats to native forest. Habitat and human disturbance, rather than abiotic variables such as area and distance to the nearest island, are the primary factors influencing the distribution of birds on small offshore islands, especially those >1.0 km2.