Editing Calayan rail

{{short description|Species of bird}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Calayan rail
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Gallirallus calayanensis'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T22732059A95041689 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22732059A95041689.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = Calayan rail.jpg
| parent_authority = Kirchman, McInerney, Giarla, [[Storrs L. Olson|Olson]], Slikas & Fleischer, 2021
| genus = Aptenorallus
| species = calayanensis
| authority = (Allen, D, Oliveros, Española, Broad & Gonzalez, 2004)
| synonyms = ''Gallirallus calayanensis'' <small>Allen, D., Oliveros, Española, Broad & Gonzalez, 2004</small>
}}

The '''Calayan rail''' ('''''Aptenorallus calayanensis''''') is a [[flightless bird]] of the [[Rallidae|rail, moorhen, and coot family]] (Rallidae) that inhabits [[Calayan Island]] in the [[Philippines]]. It is the only member of the genus '''''Aptenorallus'''''. Though well known to natives of the island as the "'''piding'''", it was first observed by [[ornithologist]] Carmela Española in May 2004 and the discovery was officially announced on August 16, 2004. 

== Description ==
The Calayan rail is a relatively large [[Rail (bird)#Flight and flightlessness|flightless]] rail. Its plumage is dark grayish overall, with a blacker face and slightly browner upperparts. The bill and legs are bright orange-red, unique among similar-sized dark-colored ground-dwelling birds on Calayan. Its vocalizations are loud, harsh, and nasal-sounding.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Calayan Rail|url=https://ebird.org/species/calrai1|url-status=live|website=eBird|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502001807/https://ebird.org/species/calrai1 |archive-date=2019-05-02 }}</ref>

== Taxonomy ==
It was initially discovered by Carmela Espanola during fieldworlk in the area. The formal description as a species [[Bird species new to science|new to science]] appeared in the journal ''[[Forktail (journal)|Forktail]]'' (Allen ''et al.'' 2004).

Prior to 2022, it was classified in the genus ''Gallirallus''. Following studies in 2012 and 2013, all recent species in the genus ''Gallirallus'' aside from the Calayan rail and the [[weka]] of [[New Zealand]] were moved to the genus ''[[Hypotaenidia]]''. Following this, the Calayan rail and the weka were considered the two extant species of the genus ''Gallirallus''. However, a 2021 phylogenetic study found the Calayan rail to be [[Basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] to the species classified in ''[[Invisible rail|Habroptila]]'', ''[[Chestnut rail|Eulabeornis]]'', ''Gallirallus'', and ''Hypotaenidia'', and thus classified it into its own genus, ''Aptenorallus''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kirchman |first1=Jeremy J. |last2=McInerney |first2=Nancy Rotzel |last3=Giarla |first3=Thomas C. |last4=Olson |first4=Storrs L. |last5=Slikas |first5=Elizabeth |last6=Fleischer |first6=Robert C. |date=16 July 2021 |title=Phylogeny based on ultra-conserved elements clarifies the evolution of rails and allies (Ralloidea) and is the basis for a revised classification |url=https://bioone.org/journals/ornithology/volume-138/issue-4/ukab042/Phylogeny-based-on-ultra-conserved-elements-clarifies-the-evolution-of/10.1093/ornithology/ukab042.full |journal=[[Ornithology (journal)|Ornithology]] |volume=138 |issue=4 |pages=1–21 |doi=10.1093/ornithology/ukab042 |issn=0004-8038|url-access=subscription }}</ref> This was accepted by the [[International Ornithologists' Union|International Ornithological Congress]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finfoots, flufftails, rails, trumpeters, cranes, Limpkin – IOC World Bird List |url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/bow/flufftails/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Behaviour and ecology ==
Stomach contents of a specimen contained various insects including snails, beetles and millipedes. This bird forages by pecking and turning over dead leaves. This species has weak wings and can barely fly. It is often observed alone or in small groups.

Nest found in June and contained 4 eggs. Lays on the ground at the base of a tree loosely made of dried leaves and stems. Eggs are pale pink and are blotched reddish brown and dark purple.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fjeldså |first1=Jon |last2=de Juana |first2=Eduardo |date=2020 |title=Calayan Rail (Gallirallus calayanensis), version 1.0 |url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/calrai1/1.0/introduction |journal=Birds of the World |language=en |doi=10.2173/bow.calrai1.01 |issn=2771-3105|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Habitat and conservation status ==
It is found on the [[Primary forest|primary]] and [[secondary forest]] on [[coralline limestone]] areas on Calayan.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Allen|first=Desmond|title=Birds of the Philippines|publisher=Lynx and Birdlife International Fiedlguides|year=2020|location=Barcelona|pages=94–95}}</ref>

IUCN has assessed this bird as [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]] with an estimated population of just 2,500 to 4,300 mature individuals. It was initially estimated by biologists in 2004 that there were just 200 pairs on the island. It has since been found to be locally common, with an estimated area of occupancy of 36 km<sup>2</sup>. However recent species distribution modelling estimated its area of occupancy at 90.2 km<sup>2</sup> . 

The species' main threat is [[habitat loss]] with the clearance of forest habitats as a result of logging and agricultural conversion within its range. It is also occasionally caught in snares meant for [[red junglefowl]]. It is also threatened by introduced species such as [[Cat|cats]], [[Dog|dogs]] and [[Rat|rats]] which could prey on these birds and their nests. 

The Calayan municipal council has passed Municipal Ordinance No. 84, which prohibits the capture, sale, possession and collection of the species. There are currently many awareness campaigns using this rail as a [[flagship species]]. The municipality of [[Calayan, Cagayan|Calayan]] has passed an ordinance establishing the Calayan Wildlife Sanctuary which covers 29km<sup>2</sup> of the island interior.

Conservation actions proposed include more research is needed to clarify the habitat requirements, range size and population size of the species. Promote the establishment of an [[environmental monitoring]] system. Conduct further community consultations and education campaigns. Set up a volunteer network for conservation activities. Develop capacity of local officials and community leaders in managing the recently established wildlife sanctuary and in enforcing its rules and regulations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=International)|first=BirdLife International (BirdLife|date=2016-10-01|title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Gallirallus calayanensis|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/en|access-date=2021-09-16|website=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Allen, Desmond, Carl Oliveros, Carmela Espaňola, Genevieve Broad and Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez (2004) [http://orientalbirdclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Allen-Gallirallus.pdf A new species of ''Gallirallus'' from Calayan island, Philippines] Forktail Vol. 20 pp.&nbsp;1–7

== External links ==
*[http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=31539&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]
*[http://www.birdlife.net/news/pr/2004/08/calayan_rail.html Birdlife International press release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221152446/http://www.birdlife.net/news/pr/2004/08/calayan_rail.html |date=2014-02-21 }}
*[http://isla.org.ph/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=1&Itemid=6 The Calayan Rail Project - an effort to conserve the species and its habitat]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041019170515/http://www.worldwildlife.org/challenges/efn_discovery.cfm WWF's role in the discovery]

{{Gruiformes|R.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q538440}}

[[Category:Rallidae|Calayan rail]]
[[Category:Flightless birds]]
[[Category:Endemic birds of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Babuyan Islands]]
[[Category:Birds described in 2004|Calayan rail]]
{{Gruiformes-stub}}