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Chatham Island Rail or Matirakahu
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Chatham Island Rail or Matirakahu
Chatham Island Rail or Matirakahu, Cabalus modestus (adult and young). Artwork by JG Keulemans from Sir Walter Lawry Bullers A History of the Birds of New Zealand, Vol.4 Plate 57 Date: 1888
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Media ID 14238543
© Mary Evans / Natural History Museum
A History Of The Birds Of New Zealand Buller Gruiformes Jg Keulemans John Gerrard Keulemans Keulemans Rallidae Sauropsid Sauropsida Watercolor
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This stunning watercolor artwork depicts the Chatham Island Rail, also known as Matirakahu or Cabalus modestus, a unique and endemic bird species found only on Chatham Island in New Zealand. Painted by the renowned Dutch naturalist artist JG Keulemans for Sir Walter Lawry Buller's "A History of the Birds of New Zealand," this illustration was published in 1888 as part of Volume 4, Plate 57. The Chatham Island Rail is a member of the Gruiformes order, which includes cranes, rails, and their allies. It is characterized by its long, slender legs, and its cryptic, brownish-gray plumage that helps it blend seamlessly into its marshy habitat. The rail's beak is short and curved, and its eyes are large and expressive. The adult rail is shown on the left side of the illustration, while a young rail is depicted on the right. The young rail is smaller and has a more speckled plumage, which helps it camouflage itself from predators. The Chatham Island Rail is an elusive and secretive bird, and it is rarely seen by humans due to its shy and nocturnal behavior. The Chatham Island Rail was once abundant on Chatham Island, but its population declined significantly due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species such as rats and cats. Today, the species is considered critically endangered, with an estimated population of fewer than 250 individuals. Conservation efforts, including predator control and habitat restoration, are underway to help protect this fascinating and beautiful bird species.
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