Wake Island Rail

Hypotaenidia wakensis

The Wake Island Rail, or Hypotaenidia wakensis, is a small flightless bird endemic to Wake Island, a remote atoll in the Pacific Ocean. It has a brownish plumage with a distinctive white patch on its throat. This species is known for its secretive behavior and is rarely seen due to its preference for dense vegetation and shrubs. The Wake Island Rail forages for insects and small invertebrates on the forest floor, using its long bill to probe the leaf litter. Unfortunately, the population of this species has declined due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species. Conservation efforts are underway to protect its remaining habitat and prevent further population declines.

Habitat: Dense vegetation and shrubs