Lord Howe Woodhen - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Hypotaenidia sylvestris

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 25 Jan 2019

Description

Medium-sized flightless bird. Colour is a dull olive brown with paler markings on face. The bill is pinkish-grey, slender and down-curved and around same length as head. Legs are thick and pinkish-grey. Birds mainly forage on forest floor for earthworms, molluscs and other invertebrates.

Distribution

Lives only on Lord Howe Island. Populations are found throughout the main Island except for the northern hills area.

Habitat and ecology

Mountain and lowland rainforest and also Palm and Pandanus forest, particularly Kentia Palm forest on basaltic soils.
Gardens around houses in Settlement Area where birds are sometimes fed by humans.
Lord Howe Woodhens mainly eat worms, insect larvae, gastropods and crustaceans.
Woodhens mate during late spring-early summer. The incubation period is 20–23 days, a number of clutches may be laid each year.
Adult Woodhens pair for life and each pair defends a territory of about 3 hectares. The young birds are driven out of the natal territory by their parents, and only become established and active in the population if they can find a new territory or take over an existing one

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Risk of extinction due to small population size and restricted distribution.
Potential for introduction of non-native invertebrates (eg Fire/Crazy Ant).
Potential further introductions of exotic species.
Impact of weeds on habitat.
Predation on Woodhen eggs by the Black Rat.
Competition and predation from the Buff-banded Rail.
Small population size may lead to inbreeding.
Predation by domestic dogs.
Predation by the introduced Masked Owl.
Roadkill due to vehicles and bicycles.
Risk of poisoning from baits used in rat eradication program.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 17 priority actions to help recover the Lord Howe Woodhen in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Control domestic dogs.
Ensure Woodhens are not impacted by rodent bait during rodent control programmes.
Control and eradicate the Masked Owl population.
Eradicate the Black Rat.
Undertake weed control in known habitat.
Implement and monitor the quarantine plan.
Investigate the impact of the introduced Buff-banded Rail on the Lord Howe Woodhen.
Monitor the status of the population and threats.

Information sources

Hutton, I. (1991) Birds of Lord Howe Island Past and Present.
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) (2007) Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Recovery Plan for the Lord Howe Woodhen (Gallirallus sylvestris).