Lord Howe Island woodhen  (Gallirallus sylvestris)

Biology

Pairs mate for life and build nests in shallow depressions on the ground under thick vegetation (4). One to four eggs are laid in the breeding season, which occurs in late spring and the downy, black chicks hatch around a month later (6). Both parents assist with feeding the chicks and young of the previous brood may also remain on the territory, taking part in rearing the new hatchlings and in territorial defence (6).

Adults forage amongst leaf litter on the forest floor, feeding on worms, molluscs and invertebrates (5). The main predators of the Lord Howe woodhen are feral pigs and owls (4).

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