The bar-winged rail is an extinct species of bird in the family Rallidae. It was endemic to Fiji and was last collected ca 1890 in Viti Levu. The species was identified from twelve 19th century specimens, some of which are known to be in Boston, London and New York. The last unconfirmed sighting of this bird was in 1973. The bar winged rail was declared extinct by the IUCN in 1994.
Region
Fiji Islands
Typical Environment
Known only from Fiji, primarily Viti Levu, where it inhabited dense lowland forest and thickets. It likely favored damp understory near streams, forest edges, and swampy patches where cover was abundant. As a secretive, ground‑oriented rail, it would have used dense vegetation for foraging and escape. Its range contracted rapidly following habitat change and the arrival of mammalian predators.
Altitude Range
unknown
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This Fijian rail was described from a handful of 19th‑century specimens and is now considered extinct (IUCN, 1994). It was last reliably collected on Viti Levu around 1890, with an unconfirmed report in 1973. Likely pressures included introduced predators (notably the small Indian mongoose) and habitat alteration. Specimens are held in museums in Boston, London, and New York, preserving our only direct record of the species.
Egg
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
reluctant flier with short, low bursts when flushed
Social Behavior
Rails typically maintain territories as pairs during breeding and remain elusive within dense cover. Nests are usually placed on or near the ground, hidden in thick vegetation. Clutch sizes in related species are moderate, and both parents often participate in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Likely a series of grunts, squeals, or sharp ticking notes typical of rails, carrying through dense vegetation. Calls would have been used for contact between mates and territorial advertisement, most frequent at dawn and dusk.
