Genus Gallirallus Higher classification Gallirallus | Phylum Chordata Family Rallidae Scientific name Gallirallus dieffenbachii Rank Species | |
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Similar Bird, Tahiti rail, Chatham rail, Rallidae, Gallirallus |
Dieffenbach's rail (Gallirallus dieffenbachii) was a species of bird from the family Rallidae. It was endemic to the Chatham Islands and referred to as meriki, or mehoriki, by the indigenous Moriori. The only recorded living specimen of Dieffenbach's rail was captured in 1840 by Ernst Dieffenbach, who is commemorated in the scientific and common name of the species. It became extinct due to hunting and introduced predators, perhaps soon after 1840.
References
Dieffenbach's rail Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA