Kilu Ground Pigeon (Columbidae gen. & sp.)
This up to now undescribed species is known exclusively from subfossil remains that were recovered from Holocene deposits in the Kilu Cave on the island of Buka in the northernmost part of the Solomon Islands group.
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References:
[1] David W. Steadman: Extinction and biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University of Chicago Press 2006
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edited: 19.08.2022
Small-winged Ground Pigeon (Columbidae gen. & sp.)
This species, which hasn’t yet been described, is known only from subfossil remains that were recovered from archeological sites on the island of Buka in the northernmost part of the Solomon Islands group.
The species very likely was flightless and was probably among the first bird species to be eradicated by the first human settlers on the island.
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References:
[1] David W. Steadman: Extinction and biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University of Chicago Press 2006
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edited: 19.08.2022
Buka Island Megapode (Megapodius sp.)
This undescribed form is known from subfossil remains, found on the island of Buka in the northernmost part of the Solomon Islands.
The form may also have occurred on others of the Solomon Islands. [1]
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References:
[1] David W. Steadman: Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University of Chicago Press 2006
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edited: 21.03.2018
Buka Swamphen (Porphyrio sp.)
The Buka Swamphen is known only from (sub)fossil bones that had been found on the island of Buka, Solomon Islands.
The species has not yet been described, it was larger than any other member of its genus except for the likewise undescribed species recorded from the island of New Ireland. [1]
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The remains assigned to this species can be dated to Late Pleistocene age, the species, however, may well have survived into the Early Holocene and probably was soon extirpated by the first human settlers. [1]
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References:
[1] David W. Steadman: Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University of Chicago Press 2006
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edited: 18.05.2019
Buka Rail (Gallirallus sp.)
This rail species has not yet been formally described, it is known only from subfossil remains that were found on the island of Buka in the Solomon Islands.
The species was flightless and was very likely among the first species to be eredicated by the first Melanesian settlers. [1]
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References:
[1] David W. Steadman: Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University of Chicago Press 2006
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edited: 22.05.2019
Buka Gallinule (Gallinula sp.)
This species was one of several species that form a group of more or less flightless gallinules that apparently formerly inhabited large parts of Melanesia and western Polynesia, and of which only two survived at least into historical times: the Samoan Woodhen (Gallinula pacifica (Hartlaub & Finsch)) and the Makira Woodhen (Gallinula silvestris (Mayr)).
These species are sometimes placed in their own genus – Pareudiastes, which, however, cannot be accepted since a genus can only evolve once and not for several times.
Thus, all of the flightless gallinules from Oceania must be laced within the genus Gallinula, or, if they turn out to be somehow distinct enough, into their own different genera.
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The Buka Gallinule is so far known only from subfossil remains, the species was definetly hunted by humans and probably died out mainly due to overhunting. [1]
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References:
[1] David W. Steadman: Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University of Chicago Press 2006
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edited: 22.05.2019